Amir Khan is being lined up for a possible clash with Floyd Mayweather this time next year.
SKY SPORTS
Golden Boy Promotions are hoping Khan will successfully defend his WBA light-welterweight title against Marcos Maidana in December before unifying the division by taking on the winner of Timothy Bradley v Devon Alexander.
That would boost Khan's pay-par-view ratings in America to make a fight with Mayweatherviable, in the event that a clash between Mayweather and Khan's stablemate Manny Pacquiao is not made.
That fight is one the whole boxing world wants to see, but so far negotiations have not been successful while the issue is further clouded by Mayweather's upcoming court appearance in relation to charges of battery and grand larceny.
Should the American be sent to prison it is unlikely Pacquiao will extend his career beyond next spring, which is likely to be the last time the two teams will look to stage the 'mega-fight'.
But Golden Boy are keen to exploit the 'Money Man''s box office appeal, with Khan clearly the man they hope can fill the breach.
"If we can't make Mayweather-Pacquiao in the spring it may be too late,' Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told mail online. "So this gives us time to build Amir into a pay-per-view super-star in the US."
One obvious barrier to the fight is Mayweather's weight - he has not fought at 140lb since battering the late Arturo Gatti in 2005 - while Khan is only just finding his feet at light-welterweight.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has what could be his last fight on November 13 when he takes on the disgraced Antonio Margarito for the WBC light-middleweight title.
SKY SPORTS
Golden Boy Promotions are hoping Khan will successfully defend his WBA light-welterweight title against Marcos Maidana in December before unifying the division by taking on the winner of Timothy Bradley v Devon Alexander.
That would boost Khan's pay-par-view ratings in America to make a fight with Mayweatherviable, in the event that a clash between Mayweather and Khan's stablemate Manny Pacquiao is not made.
That fight is one the whole boxing world wants to see, but so far negotiations have not been successful while the issue is further clouded by Mayweather's upcoming court appearance in relation to charges of battery and grand larceny.
Should the American be sent to prison it is unlikely Pacquiao will extend his career beyond next spring, which is likely to be the last time the two teams will look to stage the 'mega-fight'.
But Golden Boy are keen to exploit the 'Money Man''s box office appeal, with Khan clearly the man they hope can fill the breach.
"If we can't make Mayweather-Pacquiao in the spring it may be too late,' Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told mail online. "So this gives us time to build Amir into a pay-per-view super-star in the US."
One obvious barrier to the fight is Mayweather's weight - he has not fought at 140lb since battering the late Arturo Gatti in 2005 - while Khan is only just finding his feet at light-welterweight.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has what could be his last fight on November 13 when he takes on the disgraced Antonio Margarito for the WBC light-middleweight title.
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