Amir Khan believes an impressive win over Luis Collazo could force through a much-sought after clash with pound-for-pound King Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
It was announced on Monday the Bolton boxer will go toe-to-toe with Collazo on Mayweather’s undercard in Las Vegas on May 3.
Having not fought since last April, Khan had publically pursued a clash with the unbeaten American – who ended months of speculation in February by announcing he would fight Marcos Maidana.
Khan was aggrieved, not least as he beat Maidana in 2010, but is confident a good performance in front of ‘Money’ could force the 37-year-old into a re-think.
“I think it’s almost like a trial because Collazo’s decided he wants to fight Mayweather too and we’ll be on the same card. If he wins, he could get the fight. If I win, it’ll take me to that fight,” he said.
“It’s a good idea because we want to be in his [Mayweather’s] face on the same day he’s fighting but to fight on his card is massive and it will be great exposure and a great experience for me.”
After his showdown with Maidana, Mayweather will have three of his contracted six fights left and his next date will be in September.
Khan, 27, accepts there is a possibility his dream fight may never materialise but insisted if he doesn’t get the opportunity to displace Mayweather then his aim is to simply replace him.
“At the end of the day Mayweather is at the top of the sport of boxing, I want to take his spot at the top of the world,” he said.
“Mayweather only hit the top when he was 31. I’m only 27 and for someone so young I have been doing well for a long time.
“As long as I keep training hard and working hard then if the fight doesn’t happen I will go into position he leaves, which will be open. We are going to keep this welterweight division exciting.”
In the meantime, focus now shifts to his MGM Grand debut and ensuring he is ready for his first fight in the 147kg division.
Khan believes the change in weight class has left him with more natural fight preparations but is not expecting an easy introduction from Collazo, who took Ricky Hatton to the wire in 2006.
“He’s [Collazo] a good guy and a good fighter,” he added.
“He had a good win against Victor Ortiz – he looked quick and he knocked him down so we know he’s strong. He’s a big 147 fighter and he’s fought some big names so he’s going to be up for it.”
Collazo is looking to cause an upset, and like Khan, is eyeing up a fruitful clash with Money Mayweather.
He said: “Defeating Victor Ortiz in January was just the beginning. Facing and beating Amir Khan on the biggest stage in the sport is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I will take full advantage of this and put myself in the best position to face the winner of the main event. I hope Khan is ready because Brooklyn is coming to take him down.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, who represent Mayweather and are promoting the May 3 fight card, hinted that the winner of Khan v Collazo could get their dream fight.
He said: “Both Amir Khan and Luis Collazo have made it known that they want a shot at the winner of the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana, so what better way for them to prove that they’re next in line than by fighting on ‘THE MOMENT’ card on May 3?”
“These are two exciting former world champions and this fight has the potential to steal the show.”
Image courtesy of visitmanchester, via Flickr.
