Filipino boxing icon Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao or Mayweather next for Amir 'King' Khan

Heavyweight boxing may be devoid of larger than life heroes since the fall from grace of 'Iron' Mike Tyson or the retirement of Lennox Lewis.

However, there is no dearth of excitement in the welterweight division (147lbs) which has two of the greatest names in boxing who are arguably the best 'pound-for-pound' boxers of their generation.

The rivalry between unbeaten boxing superstar Floyd 'Money' Mayweather Jr and Filipino ring icon Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao has gained mythical proportions since the eagerly-awaited fight has been a non-event for the past five years.

2015 may be the defining year in boxing history if these two agree terms for what could be billed as the 'Fight of the Century' as it the most anticipated event in boxing since 1971, when Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden.

Mayweather has broken his silence and wants the fight to happen on May 2 albeit on his own terms including a larger share of what has the potential to become the richest boxing event.

It's now or never for Pacquiao, 35, an eight-division world champion, and Mayweather, 37, who has not lost any of his 47 fights, since they are not getting any younger.

However, earlier there was only Mayweather and Pacquiao. Now there is another serious contender who wants to rule the world and is walking the talk like Muhammad Ali did in the 60s. 

British boxer Amir 'King' Khan, feels on top of the world after outclassing American southpaw Devon Alexander in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Already a two-time world champion, Khan demonstrated he certainly has the 'fastest pair of hands' and great boxing acumen to shut out his rival to win a unanimous decision in a lopsided contest.

"I really believe I've earned my shot against the best boxer in the world, and that's Floyd Mayweather," said Khan (30-3-19KOs), targeting a bout against Mayweather or Pacquiao after retaining his WBC Silver welterweight title in Las Vegas.

He is confident of beating Mayweather.

"Floyd Mayweather is the ideal fight for me. I think he is the best pound-for-pound boxer, and it would be a game of chess, but against Mayweather I would be too skillful. I have the skill and movement to beat him," he said after the fight.

"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."

"I believe I have earned my shot against Floyd Mayweather."

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme, he added: "This victory puts me in a great position now to fight the biggest names of boxing - the likes of Mayweather and Pacquiao. That's where I belong."

Khan may have to wait until after May 2 to fight either opponent as Mayweather has mentioned that date for a fight against Filipino Pacquiao.

"Stylistically, I think that Mayweather does not want me because I have that style which causes him big problems," he said.

"But it's up to Mayweather now. The ball is in his court. I'll leave it to my team and him to get that fight done.

"It's a fight that the British crowd and boxing fans want so why don't we get it done now?"

It is easier said than done with the world waiting to see the two titans in the ring. Khan is no less of a gladiator himself and has tremendous box-office appeal himself.

"If Mayweather doesn't want it then I think Manny Pacquiao is a great name. We trained together and there is a great storyline there," added Khan.

It must ring a bell for Mayweather who denied Khan the chance of landing a bank-breaking dream fight with him last year.



 

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