WBA light welterweight World champion Amir Khan 22-1 (16) is looking to make his
first bout on American soil against former champion Paulie Malignaggi 27-3 (5). Khan’s
fight is seemingly booked for May 15th at Madison Square Garden but the Malignaggi
match-up has not yet been finalized.
As he has been given permission to take on/ avoid (depending on your view) interim champion Marcos Maidana, Khan’s promoters Golden Boy Promotions are looking at Malignaggi after first choice opponent Juan Manuel Marquez allegedly turned down the bout on Wednesday.
Khan told Sky Sports today "May 15 is the date that I have, the fight will be in America, and opponent - we are looking at Malignaggi. We were looking at Marquez, who pulled out, so it's Malignaggi up to now and we want to hear what he thinks about the fight. Golden Boy have put the fight to his promoter Lou DiBella, so we will see where we go from here. I want to fight him in his home town (New York) and beat him in his home town in front of his own people."
"The fight has not been made 100% yet but I think there is a very good chance of it happening. When it does happen, I'm just going to go in there and do what I normally do and I really think Malignaggi has a style which is going to make me look good. He's not at my level. He has a few good wins in America, but it's another fight for me and I'll go there and do what I have to do."
Malignaggi has already criticised Khan in the media and is calling for the fight saying that Khan does not have the experience to mix it with him. It would be an interesting bout for Khan who despite claiming he would be a superstar in the UK if he was white, will be entering the bout in his opponents back yard and possibly being booed heavily upon his introduction.
It is also to be noted than once again Khan is being pushed towards a bout with another light puncher such as his recent wins over Kotelnik and Salita.
However it will be Khan’s toughest opponent to date and with Malignaggi looking so good against Juan Diaz, a good name for him should he win. Also if he destroys Malignaggi it will add fuel to the fire of a UK super fight against Ricky Hatton.
By JIMMY LAST (EDITOR)
