Amir Khan is one of the premier names in the welterweight division, and remains the presumed frontrunner to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September. Keith "One-Time" Thurman is a rising undefeated 147-pounder with an arguably better claim to that opportunity.
Thurman is set to face veteran Luis Collazo on July 11 in the headline fight of ESPN's first Premier Boxing Champions card, an opponent that's underwhelming to most fans who want to see him in the ring with elite fighters. Thurman has called out Khan in the past, and since accused him of ducking the challenge.
"I would definitely be interested in a fight with Thurman if he wins," Khan said. "I've never ducked any fighter and a fight with Thurman is one I would certainly be open to. He's undefeated and we have two explosive styles so it would be a cracking fight and one not to miss."
Unlike so many tantalizing fights in boxing, promotional politics don't appear to be an obstacle to this. Both Thurman and Khan are Al Haymon fighters, and both have headlined Premier Boxing Champions cards. If Khan is not Mayweather's choice for a September showdown, this is a matchup that makes a great deal of sense.
Mayweather is still first priority for Khan, however.
"We've seen Mayweather in with guys who can punch like Marcos Maidana and Canelo Alvarez and handle them so I think the public wants to see something different," Khan said. "Styles make fights and Floyd has seen Thurman's style before."
Thurman might make an impression Saturday with a knockout of Collazo, like Maidana did when he knocked down Adrien Broner twice before landing two Mayweather paydays. Thurman's last two victories have been dominant, but he wasn't able to stop Leonard Bundu or Robert Guerrero. He knocked each of them down once.
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