While most in the boxing community believe Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s next opponent will be Amir "King" Khan in May, nothing has been finalized and neither camp is copping to an impending deal.
As the rumors persist, another British boxer, Kell Brook is badmouthing his countryman for being gifted a big-money fight without earning the shot.
"It annoys me when I hear Khan might be fighting Mayweather," Brook said. "He's [Khan] not ranked at welterweight, never boxed at welterweight and looked rubbish in his last fight...It's annoying that he could walk right over me into a big fight [against Mayweather]...I've fought all the people I'm supposed to fight to get me a world title fight."
Brook's reputation likely stems from Khan's shaky track record in major fights. He's coming off two consecutive victories, but in his last major bout against Danny Garcia, Khan was floored by a vicious Garcia right hand in the fourth round. Khan lost by TKO.
In the fight prior to Garcia, Khan dropped a split decision to Lamont Peterson, although it was shrouded in controversy. In that fight, Khan was docked two points for shoving; the bout took place in Peterson's hometown of Washington D.C.
With those losses on his record, and other occasions in which Khan was rocked or knocked down by perceived inferior competition, his selection as Mayweather's potential next opponent has been mocked in some circles.
Still, Showtime's fascination with Khan is more about style than credentials. Many felt Mayweather would fight the winner of Danny Garcia and Lucas Matthysse next, but Garcia's been all but dismissed as a candidate despite having a knockout victory over Khan.
Stephen Espinoza, Showtime boxing's shot-caller, has said Khan's fast hands make him an appealing choice.
"What we saw against Saul Alvarez is that strength alone is not going to do it against Floyd Mayweather, so when you talk about handspeed and foot speed, then you start talking about two guys - Amir Khan and Adrien Broner," Espinoza said. "And whether or not Amir Khan lost to Danny Garcia or not, Amir Khan is one of the fastest fighters out there in the world."
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