With Amir Khan planning to head to the United States, there was never really a question of "if" he would dump U.K. promoter Frank Warren, but rather "when."
Khan made it official yesterday by signing a deal with Golden Boy Promotions, with the company calling it a "strategic partnering" and everyone double-talking about how it's a "partnership" with "Khan Promotions." But let's call it what it is: Khan is now a Golden Boy fighter. He can fly his flag above the ring alongside all the others, but he's a Golden Boy fighter now.
I know he has his detractors and naysayers, but this kid can do some business. He's already made good money, already won a world title, and now he's working with Golden Boy. Not a bad first stage of your career, huh?
BoxingScene.com reports that Paulie Malignaggi could be the first opponent for Khan on American soil, and spoke with Malignaggi's promoter Lou DiBella about the idea.
"The only place where that fight makes financial sense would be in Madison Square Garden - and with all due respect I am more than capable of promoting in New York. Khan means nothing in America so he can't come over here and treat Paulie like some opponent.
"He's just a British fighter who was knocked out in one round by Breidis Prescott. Why should we be jumping over ourselves for Amir Khan? He beats a guy like Dmitriy Salita but when he's faced with a real challenge in [Marcos] Maidana, he would rather give up the title. I'm not taking anything away from him. He does have a lot of talent but he has to come over here and earn it like everyone else."
Khan's trainer Freddie Roach said recently that he supports Khan-Malignaggi, and says after that Khan-Maidana would be possible.