Floyd Mayweather May Fight Amir Khan Next, Not Manny Pacquiao (Boxing)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0, 25KO), who is scheduled to face Victor Ortiz (29-2, 22 KO) on September 19, appears to be in early discussions for a possible 2012 fight against WBA super lightweight champion, Amir Khan (25-1, 17KO).

Though the idea of Mayweather facing the young British champion would likely make for an exciting fight, it delays the prospect of a Manny Pacquiao mega-fight - something boxing fans have wanted for quite some time.

But at the moment, the talk is about Khan and Mayweather, and it seems both boxers are interested in a potential fight.

According to Khan's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, the camps had conversations with Mayweather and his adviser Al Haymon and they are definitely open to a fight with Amir Khan, absolutely.

Following his title defense against Zab Judah (41-6, 28 KO) on July 23 and a likely fight this December against Mexican Erik Morales (51-7, 35KO), Khan is expected to move up to the welterweight division.

Jumping weight classes offers challenges to boxers, and Khan would be facing one of the best if he meets Mayweather as a welterweight.

Floyd has indicated he would like to do the Pacquiao fight, said Schaefer. He said to me he'd be open to fighting Pacquiao next if the testing issue can be sorted out. Amir would then fight in the autumn against Mayweather.

Khan is confident that he will defeat Judah and Morales and move on to bigger names.

I'd like to fight the winner of Ortiz-Mayweather maybe next year, said Khan. That could be a good fight for me in the UK where we haven't had a big fight like that in a long time.

Shaefer adds, We believe in Amir and believe he is ready. These are big plans but Team Khan are on board.

As for Mayweather, the chances of a Pacquiao fight picked up steam when he signed on to face Ortiz, who is a left-handed fighter like the Filipino superstar.

Mayweather has expressed an interest in being in more fights, so discussions of fighting Khan shouldn't be a roadblock to a potential fight with Pacquiao.

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