Manny Pacquiao won his third straight fight on November 22 when he routed Chris Algieri in China, and is seeking a big payday in 2015 against Floyd Mayweather Jr. If he fails to land that elusive super fight, however, Pacquiao could take on another high-profile opponent-Amir Khan.
Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya has made it a priority to land Khan a big fight if he is able to get past Devon Alexander on December 15. De La Hoya praised Khan's skills, particularly his ability to engage in entertaining fights.
"I'm pushing for a Pacquiao fight. And I'm also pushing for a Mayweather fight," De La Hoya said.
"He is a devastating puncher, has tremendous speed and he knows how to use it. He pleases the fans. He's exciting. People want to watch him fight."
Khan was one of the sport's fastest-rising stars before back-to-back losses damaged his stock. He was defeated controversially by Lamont Peterson in a fight in which he was deducted two points for pushing. Following that loss, he suffered a TKO defeat at the hands of Danny Garcia that was far more damaging to his reputation.
He's won three straight fights since then, but the reputation of a weak chin has followed him, and become a more prominent characteristic than his hand speed or footwork. De La Hoya, however, thinks the 28-year-old can still be one of the greats.
"Amir Khan is just beginning, he has a lot of fight left in him. He's still learning and he's still growing; he's getting stronger and he's getting faster. He's more motivated than ever," De La Hoya gushed.
If he keeps winning, if he keeps on getting into these big fights that are promised, I really do feel that Amir Khan can be one of the top fighters of all time. But first things first: Devon Alexander is a tough, tough opponent."
Mayweather has previously dismissed Khan's candidacy, saying he has "Danny Garcia problems." De La Hoya thinks that its time that loss stops being held against him.
"Look, Amir Khan has been having eliminator after eliminator. The time for him is now. He deserves to be fighting Floyd Mayweather. He deserves to be fighting Manny Pacquiao."
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