Amir Khan vs Devon Alexander: 'King' Khan wants Mayweather after 'best ever' fight

British boxer Amir Khan defeated Devon Alexander by a unanimous decision in a welterweight fight Saturday, using his superior hand speed and strength to dominate the American southpaw for 12 rounds.

The 28-year-old Khan consistently beat Alexander to the punch, jabbing his way to victory in the non-title fight on all three judges' scorecards, 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110.

"I think it was one of my best performances," said Khan, who looked unscathed except for a welt under his left eye. "I am the best boxer with the quickest hands in the world. I am getting better."

Khan used his jab effectively to set up combinations that earned him the bulk of points as both fighters made it to the final bell in front of a crowd of 7,768 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

Khan also showed off his much-improved defensive skills, the result of hooking up with trainer Virgil Hunter in September 2012.

Alexander, who looked impressive in his last fight against Jesus Soto Karass, went into the 12th round needing a knockout to win.

Khan was originally scheduled to fight the American for Alexander's International Boxing Federation welterweight title last December in New York.

But the Briton scrapped the bout because he thought he had a chance at landing a bank-breaking dream fight with Floyd Mayweather that never came off.

Alexander then lost the title to Shawn Porter, and Khan's fellow Brit Kell Brook snatched it from Porter in August.

Khan won every round on one judge's scorecard, all but one on a second and all but two on the third card.

He connected on 43 per cent of his shots, compared to just 20 per cent for Alexander.

"I just fought a three-time world champion and proved myself to be a force at 147 pounds," Khan said.

"I think I'm getting better with age. I'm better than I was at 26 and now just starting to hit my peak at 28. I worked very hard and put on one of my best performances."

Boxing fans the world over are hoping unbeaten Mayweather's next fight is against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, but Khan showed Saturday that he would be a solid opponent if the highly-anticipated "richest fight in boxing history" can't be realised.

"I believe I have earned my shot against Floyd Mayweather," said Khan, who was fighting for just the second time as a welterweight. "It would be huge and I would walk out with the belt."

In another welterweight fight at a different Las Vegas venue Saturday, former two division champion Timothy Bradley and Diego Chaves fought to a 12-round controversial draw.

The decision resulted in plenty of boos from boxing fans who thought Bradley deserved the win.

Unanimous decision

Amir Khan is the winner by unanimous decision 119-109 118-110 120-108 who extends his record to 30-3-19KOs.

Briton Amir Khan believes he has produced one of the best performances of his career and deserves a shot at Floyd Mayweather after brilliantly outpointing American Devon Alexander.

I want to thank Allah for all the success he has given me #Alhamdulillah

— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) December 14, 2014

"I should have fought him (Mayweather) last year. I really believe Khan-Mayweather will be huge because British fans would love to see it. Floyd has problems with speed, movement and accuracy. I have done enough to fight Mayweather," said the fighter from Bolton in Lancashire.

May 2nd 2015 @FloydMayweather Lets Go! #Ak47-1

— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) December 14, 2014

"We worked very hard for this fight. It was against a tough opponent. One of my best performances," he said at a ringside interview after his win.

Love to all the fans out there, thank you for all the support i couldn't have done it without you pic.twitter.com/PVyzfVph6I

— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) December 14, 2014

"I am the best boxer and have quickest hands in the world. I have best jab in business. I'm getting wiser and better as a fighter. I know I have great boxing skills. I just want be smarter," said Khan.

"I have no excuses. He was the better man tonight," said a dejected Alexander after dropping to 26-3, 14KOs.

"I could have caught him, I just couldn't do it," said the American southpaw conceding defeat.

And it's @AmirKingKhan with a dominant performance over Alexander at the @MGMGrand. #goldenboyboxing #ShowtimeBoxing pic.twitter.com/ZzGROH0vg2

— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) December 14, 2014

Round 12: There has been no knock down so far. Khan lands with a fast left hook. Alexander connects with a couple of leads but counters with a fast one-two. Khan is scoring at will making Alexander look ordinary. Khan has virtually shut down Alexander with his hand speed and footwork.

Emirates 24|7 scores: 10-9

Round 11: Khan is ahead on points. Alexander needs a knock out to win. But it is Khan who is landing the power combinations. Alexander is stalking Khan who is proviing an elusive target. Khan ends the round with a speedy combination almost taunting Alexander to deliver.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

Round 10: Khan dazzles Alexander with his fast left hands and leading the fight. Khan is peppering his rival with powerful rights as well. Alexander unable to catch Khan to land his his power punch. Khan is landing the power combinations finishing the round strongly.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

Round 9: Khan begins with a speedy combination. Alexander looking to counter with his powerful left.

Emirates 24|7 scores: 10-9

Round 8: Khan lands a good combination as Alexander backs up to the ropes. Alexander to wind up but Khan moves away and sneaks a couple of left hands. American is finally getting his range. Khan replies with a one-two. A pretty even round.

Emirates 24|7 scores: 10-10

Round 7: Alexander comes out firing but Khan answers with speedy combinations. Khan is looking comfortable boxing at a distance . Alexander attacks but Khan counters with a flurry of blows to the body. Khan is cautioned for grabbing Alexander's head during a furious exchange. Khan is outscoring his opponent.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

Round 6: Alexander doing his best to land his power punch while Khan keeps circling around. Khan is countering with overhand lefts. Khan is easily outboxing his rival and lands a power right hand. Khan stuns Alexander with a double right.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

Round 5: Khan who has been knocked down eight times in his career has managed to keep the distance so far against Alexander. Khan is craftily outboxing his rival with his hand speed and stepping away out of danger. Khan's best round by far scoring heavily with his left jabs and finishing with a powerful right.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

Round 4: Khan leading with overhand left hands countering Alexander with left hooks. Alexander leads with a double jab. Khan is controlling pace of the bout from the centre. Alexander is stepping up the ante and sneaks a couple of lefts. Khan finishes with a strong right.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9.

Round 3: Alexander is yet to explode as he tries to find his range. Both are cautious halfway through to the round. Khan whips in a short right. Khan lands a good one-two and then a right.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

Round 2: Khan putting his reach and hand speed to advantage. Khan is warned for turning his back for the second time. Alexander is waiting to land the power blows while Khan dazzles with his speed and combinations landing a body blow.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

Round 1: Khan throws the opening exchanges staggering Alexander with his looping overhead lefts. The Amerian finishes the round strongly landing his powerful lefts.

Emirates 24|7 scores: Khan 10-9

It is a great match up with Khan having a slight reach advantage against southpaw Alexander.

Alexander is the first to enter the ring for the main event followed soon after by King Khan.

Keith Thurman wins by unanimoums decision with all three judges scoring 120-7 against Leonard Bundu who survived a first round knockdown in the WBA interim welterweight bout.

Thurman improved his record to 24-0-0, 21KOs returning after an eight-month layoff to prove he is a boxer not a slugger against the crafty Italian Olympian Bundu (31-1-2, 11Kos).

British boxer is ready ahead of WBC silver welterweight title fight against American Devon Alexander.

Ready pic.twitter.com/AiYQNauNaa

— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) December 14, 2014

Amir Khan is gloving up for the big fight.

Gloving up pic.twitter.com/B9zjzLmR28

— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) December 14, 2014

Former three-division world champion Abner Mares (28-1-1, 15KOs) stopped Jose Ramirez (24-4-2, 15KOs) in the fifth round.

Charlo wins by technical knockout after 30 seconds of round three as Bottai's corner throws in the towel.

Jermall Charlo KOs Lenny Botai in Round 3 https://t.co/QsPHkCli1P via @RBRBoxing pic.twitter.com/jGl9nPpCSK

— Gabe Rivas (@GabeRivas03) December 14, 2014

Charlo knocked down Bottai with a short left hook followed by a right in an IBF Junior Middleweight eliminator.

#KhanAlexander

The countdown is on in Las Vegas, as Amir Khan takes on Devon Alexander in a career defining fight.

Khan and former two-division champion Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) will square off in a 12-round non-title welterweight bout.

There is plenty at stake this weekend with the winner hoping to land a lucrative shot at Floyd Mayweather, the biggest name in boxing.

"Devon's got me at my best time. I am going to be more ready than I was last year," said Khan, who will wear boxing's 'most expensive shorts' worth $31,000 - white nappa leather, silk and featuring a waistband made of 24-carat gold thread.

Khan, who turned 28 on Monday and has among the fastest hands in boxing, was originally scheduled to fight the dangerous Alexander for the International Boxing Federation welterweight title last December in New York.

But the Briton scrapped the bout because he thought he had a chance at landing a blockbuster showdown with Floyd Mayweather that never came off.

Alexander then lost the title to Shawn Porter, and Khan's fellow Brit Kell Brook snatched it from Porter in August.

Even though there is no title on the line this time at the MGM Grand Hotel, Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) sees Saturday as a stepping stone to bigger paydays and a chance to show off his improved defensive skills.

"It didn't happen last December because obviously we changed a few things and I was hoping for the big fight against Floyd and that fell through," said the former IBF and World Boxing Association light welterweight world champ.

"You can't compare the Amir Khan 12 months ago to the Amir Khan now, I am way ahead. I am much better and much smarter." 

Khan and Alexander both made the welterweight limit for their crucial clash at MGM Grand Arena.

The British fighter weighed in exactly on the 147lb mark, while his American opponent also matched this weight for Saturday’s bout.

Both men displayed an air of confidence while they posed for pictures, with Alexander nodding at Khan as they exchanged some parting words.

Khan told Alexander: "I'm from England but I've got more fans than you in America. I'm going to win this in style."

His opponent responded: "You've got to say that, in your mind you know I'm going to beat you. You know you're already beaten."

Khan is coming off a victorious welterweight debut in May, when he looked sharp in a unanimous decision over former champion Luis Collazo.

The 27-year-old Alexander meanwhile looked impressive in beating Jesus Soto Karass six months ago.


 

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