By James Slater: WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan insists he is the best fighter in the world at his weight class and that he will prove it: first by beating Paul McCloskey in April, and then by beating rival champion Timothy Bradley in the summer.
Khan, in speaking with BBC Sport, said the Bradley fight is on his mind, but that he cannot afford to look past the unbeaten European champion who he will meet in Manchester on April 16th. Khan did say, though, that he feels he is ahead of Bradley; in terms of being the best at 140.
“I want to prove to everyone how good Amir Khan is,” the 24-year-old said. “Not only in England, but all over the world. So I want to beat McCloskey in a better fashion than Bradley beat Devon Alexander. I’m one step ahead of Bradley, even though he’s rated one higher than me [in Ring Magazine]. That’s a good fight for the future, but first of all I’ve got McCloskey to take care of and I’m very focused on him.”
Does Khan deserve to be rated at #1 at 140-pounds? Above Bradley, the reigning WBC, WBO champion? It’s true Bradley didn’t look his best against Alexander back in January, but even if Khan blows away McCloskey, would that make him the best at 140? Khan earned major points for the way he came through and beat the hard-hitting Marcos Maidana last December, but it could be argued that Bradley has met and defeated a better class of opponent overall.
Khan, in my opinion (and no disrespect to Paul McCloskey), will put on a showcase on April 16th; winning in style inside six-rounds. But would such a win be sufficient to vault him above “Desert Storm” ratings-wise? No.
Until they square off in the ring – and the talked of date for the big unification clash is July 23,rd in the U.S – we will not know for sure who the best 140-pounder in the sport is; Khan or Bradley. Bradley will of course be a most interested observer of the Khan-McCloskey fight, and it’s a cert he will be hoping Khan avoids succumbing to a big upset loss.
It won’t happen. Khan to win inside six and then, hopefully, put pen to paper and get it on with the unbeaten warrior from Palm Springs.