Khan calls out Mayweather after win
British boxer won against Algieri on unanimous decision
Amir Khan in action against Chris Algieri. PHOTO: AFP
NEW YORK:
Britain’s Amir Khan took a unanimous decision victory on Friday over American Chris Algieri in a welterweight matchup, then called out unbeaten Floyd Mayweather for a world title showdown.
Khan improved to 31-3 with his fifth victory in a row, which came by judges’ scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 115-113.
Algieri fell to 20-2 with his second defeat in a row, the other coming last November at Macau at the hands of Filipino star Manny Pacquiao — who lost to treble world champion Mayweather in boxing’s richest-ever megafight earlier this month.
“Amir Khan wants to fight Floyd Mayweather,” Khan screamed in the ring. “I want that next. I’m the number one World Boxing Council [challenger]. He’s the champion. So let’s make it happen.”
That might be easier said than done. Khan thought he might fight Mayweather in May last year but the US star instead decided to fight Argentina’s Marcos Maidana.
Khan kept Algieri at bay much of the night, the American landing a strong combination early in the eighth round but unable to connect often enough to claim victory.
“He came to fight, wanted to win, had his home crowd, but I came here to win,” said Khan, adding he had to resort to “Plan B” to defeat the hometown hero.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2015.
Britain’s Amir Khan took a unanimous decision victory on Friday over American Chris Algieri in a welterweight matchup, then called out unbeaten Floyd Mayweather for a world title showdown.
Khan improved to 31-3 with his fifth victory in a row, which came by judges’ scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 115-113.
Algieri fell to 20-2 with his second defeat in a row, the other coming last November at Macau at the hands of Filipino star Manny Pacquiao — who lost to treble world champion Mayweather in boxing’s richest-ever megafight earlier this month.
“Amir Khan wants to fight Floyd Mayweather,” Khan screamed in the ring. “I want that next. I’m the number one World Boxing Council [challenger]. He’s the champion. So let’s make it happen.”
That might be easier said than done. Khan thought he might fight Mayweather in May last year but the US star instead decided to fight Argentina’s Marcos Maidana.
Khan kept Algieri at bay much of the night, the American landing a strong combination early in the eighth round but unable to connect often enough to claim victory.
“He came to fight, wanted to win, had his home crowd, but I came here to win,” said Khan, adding he had to resort to “Plan B” to defeat the hometown hero.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2015.