British boxing fans who were hoping for a big domestic clash are set to be disappointed this week as Bolton man Amir Khan has finally decided who he will face in his next fight. Hint: it’s not Kell Brook.
Former world unified light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan has finalised a deal to fight pound-for-pound and welterweight title defender American boxer Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford for the WBO world title in April. The venue for the fight will reportedly be either New York’s Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas.
The announcement is expected to be formally announced later this week and will be his 11th fight in America. Khan hasn’t been back on US shores since he was out to the ground against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May 2016 for the WBC middleweight world title.
Khan, who was in Dubai in December 2018, revealed to Esquire Middle East that the American, along with Sheffield-native Kell Brook, were both being considered for his next fight. The duo are set to reveal details about their upcoming clash on January 15 at the Landmark London hotel, according to a press release.
The Bolton native, who is in the twilight of his career, has publically said he has only three fights left in him. His fight against Crawford will net £4m (US $5.1m) and he could have reportedly have made more had he chosen to face Brook.
Khan with his record to 33 wins and four defeats opened up to Esquire in December on his fight options and said that “there is an amazing fighter over in America, Terence Crawford. He’s pound-for-pound the best out there right now. He’s bringing a world title to the table. I mean Kell Brook is only bringing himself to the table.”
Khan goes into the fight with Crawford as the definite underdog and last held the super-lightweight title between 2009 and 2011. Southpaw Crawford has held world titles at lightweight, super-lightweight and welterweight and has a record of 25 knockouts from 34 wins and zero losses.
