Amir Khan Still Targeting Mayweather, Says He's Floyd's Toughest Challenge Without Pacquiao

WBA and IBF junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan is still talking about a potential big fight in 2012 with Floyd Mayweather Jr, and says that if Wild Card Gym stablemate Manny Pacquiao doesn't fight Floyd, he's Mayweather's toughest challenge:

"On paper I'm the best he could face, if he doesn't face Manny Pacquiao. If I didn't think I could beat Floyd Mayweather and I didn't have the style, the speed and the power to beat him - then I wouldn't even be talking about it. I'm don't want to be a challenger going into these fights. I want to be a champion and the winner. I know that Floyd has never faced the speed and the power than I have."

Khan (26-1, 18 KO) faces Lamont Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KO) in Washington, DC, on December 10, televised live on HBO and Sky Sports.

But say he gets past that fight with a win, as most expect he will, and that sometime in 2012, be it May 5 or otherwise, Khan faces Mayweather.

[ Related: Khan Picks Cotto Over Margarito ]

At this point, do you think Khan has a legitimate chance to win the fight? He's right that he's got youth, got speed, and though I'd disagree that his power is anything Mayweather hasn't seen, he's got enough of that, too. But would you expect him to be a truly legitimate challenger for Mayweather, or just another guy who's "as good as it's going to get" for the date in question, but doesn't really have a shot to win?

Visit our Khan vs Peterson event page for full coverage of the December 10 fight.