Amir Khan won't be affected by Ramadan if he secures shot at Floyd Mayweather in September

Khan wants to fight unbeaten Mayweather in what the American says will be his final bout before retirement

Duncan Bech
Thursday 07 May 2015 11:08 BST
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Amir Khan alongside Manny Pacquiao
Amir Khan alongside Manny Pacquiao (Getty Images)

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Amir Khan has raised the possibility of a September showdown with Floyd Mayweather after insisting his observance of Ramadan would not prevent him fighting the unbeaten American.

The Muslim festival ends on July 17 this year and Khan believes that date leaves sufficient time to embark on his training camp in preparation to face the undisputed welterweight champion.

Mayweather confirmed after outpointing Manny Pacquiao on Sunday that he will retire once he completes his six-bout deal with Showtime with his final outing set be in Las Vegas September.

Khan believes that eight weeks would be enough time for him to face the reigning pound for pound king if chosen as his next opponent.

"I'm not ruling out fighting in September because it's possible that it could happen," Khan said.

"Mayweather only fights in mid-September and Ramadan will be a little earlier this year, which helps. It gives me enough time to get the training done. So it can happen in September."

Khan faces Chris Algieri in New York on May 29 and is unwilling to look beyond his light-punching opponent, who was knocked down six times by Pacquiao during a massive points defeat in November.

"I need to win this fight if I'm to get near any of the big names in boxing. It's time to fight Chris Algieri, I'm not going to be fighting Mayweather until I win this fight," Khan said.

"Winning this fight is everything to me. I'm not looking past Chris because I've made that mistake in the past. There are bigger fights out there for me, but this is my focus."

Mayweather will fight again in September
Mayweather will fight again in September

A potential roadblock to Khan's chances of meeting an opponent he has long pursued is the possibility of a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao after it emerged that the Filipino was carrying a shoulder injury that requires major surgery at the end of this week.

It will be April at the earliest that Pacquiao can fight again and Mayweather has little sympathy for a foe he defeated with such conviction.

Mayweather said on social media: "19 years in the fight game and I've had one excuse: 'Don't have an excuse'. Winners win and losers have excuses'."

PA

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