As has been well documented, Lamont Peterson failed a drug test and as a result, his rematch with Amir Khan on May 19th, along with the whole card, was cancelled. This has left Khan in a bit of a limbo. There is still no decision made on what will happen to the two belts Lamont Peterson currently holds, although the likelihood is that he could be stripped. If he is, then it presents a few options for Khan.
With the news last Friday that Andre Berto also failed a drug test, we can throw Victor Ortiz?s name into the mix as a potential opponent for Amir. Other names mentioned include Devon Alexander, Mexican legend Erik Morales, and newly crowned WBC champion Danny Garcia. Marcos Maidana has also been mentioned in a possible rematch of their bout back in December 2011.
The man who inflicted the first professional defeat on Khan, Breidis Prescott, has had his name thrown in too, but I?m discounting him as I don?t believe it is a fight that makes sense for Khan or Golden Boy Promotions other than the revenge factor involved. Had Prescott defeated Khan for a world title, then yes, that fight would make sense, but not now. As much as some of us boxing fans would like to see it again, it is a fight that should have happened 2 years ago, therefore the likelihood of it happening now is very slim.
So which of these five opponents is next for Amir Khan? Read on to see my take on his options.
Victor Ortiz
This fight is possible. Will it happen? Probably not. Khan is still campaigning at 140lbs, and I very much doubt he would look to face someone like Ortiz in his first bout at welterweight. It has to be said however that Ortiz would present Khan with problems even if Amir was experienced at 147lbs. He?s tough, fast, strong and aggressive. Characteristics that Khan doesn?t necessarily like. Ortiz comes in at around 162lbs on fight night, and that significant weight advantage would aid him over Khan. Ortiz is prone to some strange decisions in the ring (see fights with Maidana and Floyd Mayweather), but Khan won?t want to go in the ring hoping that on the off-chance Ortiz has one his ?moments.?
Devon Alexander
I think this is a fight that may happen. It is dependant though on whether or not Khan wants to move up in weight now, or have one more fight at super-lightweight. Alexander, a south-paw, would prove a tricky test for Khan, but is very much a winnable fight. It?s a fight I would like to see, and I?m sure it will happen at some point. As for right now however, I?m doubtful. I feel Team Alexander are moving in one direction, while Team Khan are moving in the other.
Erik Morales
Sadly, Morales is still fighting. He is a legend, and he was a great fighter. His best days are behind him now. His name has been put forward, and I can?t say that I?m surprised. Morales is still a draw in the sport, so in a financial sense this fight makes a degree of sense. Add in the, erm, British fan base of Khan, and this fight does well. But what does beating a past-his-best Morales prove? The answer ? nothing. Khan is a talented fighter, and he needs to start showcasing those talents against higher calibre fighters. If he wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr, then fighting guys like Morales is not the way to get his attention. Sadly, this is the fight that I think will happen. So there you have it, July 7th ? Amir Khan v Erik Morales.
Danny Garcia
Naturally, this fight has been mentioned. Garcia is coming off the back of a solid performance and victory over Morales in which he captured his first world championship. Because Garcia holds that belt is the reason this fight is being mentioned. However, there are a couple of reasons why I don?t think this fight will occur. Number 1: A purse bid has been ordered by the WBC for Danny Garcia v Ajose olusegun, and given that Olusegun has been waiting some time for a title shot, it is highly unlikely that he will accept ?step-aside? money. Number 2: I don?t think Team Garcia will want a fight with Khan. Not yet anyway. Their man has just won a title against a faded Morales, and while talented, has yet to be really tested. A fight with Khan, at this point, is too soon. Down the line though, it is a fight that will happen.
Marcos Maidana
Who could forget the fight they had back in December 2011? What a fight that was. And I?m sure I won?t be alone in saying I would love to see it again. This is the fight that I think should happen. For one, I just want to see the fight again as the first one had me on the edge of my seat with excitement. Furthermore, a rematch with Maidana enables Khan to work on a few things that he has noticeably struggled with. Maidana likes to come forward, and in their first fight when he happened to trap Khan on the ropes, he scored with some vicious power shots. Similarly, when Khan fought Peterson, that same in-ability to defend or attack from the ropes was seen. A fight against Maidana enables Khan to silence any doubters he has about certain aspects of his game, and he will want to make it an even more convincing win than when he first fought ?Chino.? This fight does well financially too, so it is one that makes sense for numerous reasons.
