Khan has been negotiating with Mayweather’s camp for over two years but ended up being junked in favor of Andre Berto, who lost three of his last six fights. It must have a very disgusting experience for Khan to know that he lost to Berto despite having been assured of the fight by Mayweather’s handlers.
After being rejected by Mayweather, Khan announced that he had resumed talks with Pacquiao, saying the fight is about 75 percent done.
But last week Khan said he is pulling out of the Pacquiao fight.
“I’m really disappointed in Manny and his team,” Khan told The National. “They aren’t playing ball. All that was left to do is to sign the contract. But they are stalling.
“I have pulled out of the negotiations. I am no longer fighting Manny Pacquiao,” Khan said.
Khan may have realized that he needs to prove that he is indeed a worthy opponent by looking at other targets or doing a rematch with either Danny Garcia or Lamont Peterson.
“I am not going to wait around for Manny like I did for Mayweather,” Khan said. “I need to fight and if they don’t want to fight then that’s fine, I have other targets,” Khan said.
For Khan to stand out in lucrative fight talks, he needs to prove that he can do better in a rematch with either Peterson or Garcia.
“I already had a back-up plan drawn up in case the Pacquiao fight didn’t go to plan,” the Olympic medallist said. “We are looking at a Danny Garcia rematch. I also would like to fight Tim Bradley; that’s another interesting fight.
“A rematch with Lamont Peterson and, of course, Kell Brook is also another option, he added.
Khan’s split decision loss to Peterson in 2011 took its toll on his career as it was followed by another loss to Danny Garcia the following year.
Peterson would be an easy fight for Khan if a rematch takes place. In their first outing, Khan would have won the fight if he had not been deducted two points by the referee for pushing. It also turned out that Peterson was found using performance enhancing drugs and later stripped of his WBA title.
Khan’s loss to Garcia could have been aborted if the referee gave Khan a chance to continue despite disorientation following his knockdown in round 3 and 4. Khan lost to Garcia by fourth round TKO.
It would be easier for Khan to bag a lucrative fight with Mayweather (if he isn’t retiring yet) or Pacquiao if he can avenge his loss to Peterson and Garcia.
