Khan: Pacquiao and Brook fights are close
AMIR Khan admits a victory over Samuel Vargas tonight is likely to set up a huge showdown with either Manny Pacquiao or Kell Brook in his next fight.
The Bolton boxer makes his return to the ring this evening when he takes on Vargas in Birmingham.
It’s his second fight of 2018 following his 39-second win against Phil Lo Greco back in April.
Khan has been linked with fights against Pacquiao and Brook for long periods of his career, but it appeared they may never take place.
Finally it appears that may change, with the 31-year-old admitting there is a very high chance he will fight one of those two men in his next fight - provided he overcomes Vargas tonight.
“There are massive fights out there like Pacquiao and Brook. This fight with Vargas will tell me what I have left and show if I can go to the next level for those fights,” said Khan.
“They are both older than me so that shows me that I belong in this position.
“The reason I’m still in the sport is because I love the sport and I know I’ve got a lot left in me.
“If I didn’t have nothing in me, or didn’t love the sport, then I’d walk away.
“I’m 31 now, but I’ve seen fighters and sportsmen above 30 who have said they felt the best in their careers.” Khan had to remove his pants and socks and use a security guard’s jacket to cover his modesty in order to reach the welterweight limit of 147 pounds at yesterday’s weigh-in, while Vargas weighed-in one pound lighter.
It is the first time since May 2015 the former world champion has competed at welterweight, and it is unknown whether or not a potential fight with Brook would happen in that weight class, as Brook is now fighting at 154 pounds.
Khan says a fight with Brook may have to happen at 147 pounds, but he doesn’t think that will be a problem for his domestic rival. He said: “If I said the fight was on at 147 pounds I know he would make the weight so I am not concerned about that.
“I know how much he wants it, but first I’m focused on Vargas.
“I need this type of fight to get me back going again because the last fight was so short.
“I know he is going to try to talk his way into the fight as he feels like he is going to beat me and feels he is a better fighter than me – but if we are honest he is nowhere near my level.
“I’m going to prove that, and I know he is not good enough to land that one big shot on me which he hopes to do.”