Khan to stay at 140 for a while to try and capture titles

By ESB - 01/01/2013 - Comments

By Michael Collins: Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) has changed his mind about wanting to move up to 147 to chase the title holders in that weight class. He now plans on staying at 140 to go after the four titles. That’s Khan’s immediate goal and if he’s successful, he’ll move up in weight to go after the titles in that weight class.

Khan also still wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. someday, but that’s probably not a realistic goal because Mayweather is turning 36 in February and he doesn’t have two years to wait around for Khan to go after all of the 140 light welterweight straps.

Khan said to the Dailystar.co.uk “I was going to move up to welterweight because there was nothing left for me at light welterweight but now there are a few titles to be won again…I’m not big enough to be at welterweight yet.”

Khan is big enough to fight at welterweight, but the problem is they hit really hard in that weight class and I don’t know how he can be steered around all of the good fighters at that weight class unless he’s put in with the light hitter WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi.

That’s obviously the weak link in the welterweight division. However, by the time Khan moves up to 147, Malignaggi will be a distant memory as the WBA champion because he’s not going to keep his title for too much longer before someone beats him.

Khan is better off staying at 140 though. At 140, Khan would only have to avoid Lucas Matthysse, Danny Garcia and Brandon Rios. The rest of the guys are fighters that Khan can likely beat. He did get beaten by Lamont Peterson, but it’s doubtful that Peterson could beat Khan a second time. As long as Khan’s not fouling Peterson 24/7 by shoving him around the ring or grabbing his head and pulling it down all night long, Khan should be able to beat Peterson. However, if Khan fights Rios, Garcia or Matthysse, he’ll likely get knocked out again because those guys hit too hard for Khan.