What's Next for Amir Khan: Mayweather, Erik Morales, Kell Brook?

by Scott Christ on Jul 24, 2011 12:26 PM EDT in Boxing Commentary & Opinion

Amir Khan is moving forward after beating Zab Judah last night. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

After disposing of Zab Judah in a one-sided, five round rout last night in Las Vegas, junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan is pointed toward his future, with many names on the lips of both he and his promoters at Golden Boy.

One fight Richard Schaefer keeps mentioning is Erik Morales, which it seems most boxing fans do not much care for as a potential matchup. Morales (51-7, 35 KO) is back end top ten, maybe just outside the top ten at 140 pounds, but Khan is clearly a bad matchup for the 34-year-old Mexican star and future Hall of Famer. It reminds one instantly of when we saw Khan shred Morales' old rival, Marco Antonio Barrera, in 2009. Barrera, naturally a featherweight at best, fought Khan at lightweight, just after Khan hooked up with Freddie Roach. Barrera looked hopeless before a nasty cut ended a lousy fight.

It's not that Morales can't fight anymore, it's that Khan is a miserable matchup for him. Khan is bigger, stronger, faster, younger, and better. Morales can still make good fights, but not against someone like Khan. It's a bad matchup.

Another idea is UK welterweight Kell Brook, who is a viable contender in a shallow division, a division to which Khan is headed sooner than later. Amir realistically has one more fight at 140 at best, and if all Golden Boy can come up with is Erik Morales, it seems like they might as well move Khan up now. Khan and Brook have traded shots in the UK media, and Brook desperately needs a better fight than what he's had so far. He dominated the tough and game Lovemore N'dou in June, and the fight could be a hit in the UK. It could also be the sort of fight that Khan could use to mend fences with Sky Sports, which he really should consider doing immediately.

The biggest name connected to Khan right now is Floyd Mayweather Jr, who said this week that he'd be willing to go to the UK and Wembley Stadium to fight Khan. If that fight does happen, it's at least two away for Khan, and won't be until 2012. Mayweather has Victor Ortiz on the schedule for September 17 to begin with, and Floyd won't be likely to fight again until May 2012 at the earliest.

Given that Floyd will have to wait, what would you like to see in the meantime? Morales? Brook? The Guerrero vs Maidana winner? Someone else?

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You not even mentioning Bradley once in the whole article really shows the chances of that fight happening, which is unfortunate.

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by Rian Scalia on Jul 24, 2011 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

He’s just not in the discussion. He’s going to have too many headaches.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jul 24, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t mind either the winner of Guerrero-Maidana or Tim Bradley, but I imagine we get Morales. Otherwise, I’d love to see Matthysse get another crack. Almost certainly won’t happen, but I think there’s a pretty legit argument to say Matthysse is either 3 or 4 in the division, depending on where you place him and Maidana. As it is, with wins over Judah and Alexander, I’d be tempted to call Matthysse as the number 3 in the division.

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by Oli Goldstein on Jul 24, 2011 12:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Guerrero

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Jul 24, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

I’d rather see him fight Ortiz than Mayweather

by steak_knife on Jul 24, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Or both

"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali

by pakinpower on Jul 24, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Guerrero though I’d love a rematch with Prescott

"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry

by Boss Man on Jul 24, 2011 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

If Prescott can beat Paul McCloskey (I don’t think he can), I’m on board with the rematch idea. I do not, however, ever need to see Khan vs McCloskey again.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jul 24, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Another question is who is Khans most dangerous potential foe

"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali

by pakinpower on Jul 24, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I know this might sound nuts right now, but at 147 I’d see Andre Berto being a hell of a challenge for him, style-wise.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jul 24, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

He would be.

Maybe not his most dangerous but definitely a formidable challenge.

I think Ortiz could hurt him the worst.

"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali

by pakinpower on Jul 24, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Pacquiao, without question

Followed by Mayweather. After that, not too sure. Someone like Ortiz or even Aydin might give him problems. Berto I think can be neutralized by volume, which Khan has. I’d give Randall Bailey a really good shot at upsetting him as well, even if he really is a one trick pony. That one trick is Khan’s biggest weakness.

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by Brickhaus on Jul 24, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions