Golden Boy Promotions, which also represents Mayweather, has discussed the prospect of the bout but it was taken aback by claims that the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world had signed a deal to face Khan on May 3.
Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy’s chief executive, said: “I don’t know where that story is coming from.” Robert Diaz, their principal matchmaker, added: “I’ve no knowledge of this, I haven’t heard this, and I don’t know where it is coming from.
“I can’t believe it. The last I heard was that Dec 7 would be Amir’s next fight, against Devon Alexander.”
Khan’s management team also denied claims that the fighter had cancelled his proposed fight with Alexander for the International Boxing Federation welterweight title.
Doubts over Alexander’s availability had emerged this week when the American reported that he would instead face Zab Judah, the man whom Khan defeated three years ago in a unification fight for the World Boxing Association and IBF light-welterweight belts.
However, 26-year-old Khan has not fought since he defeated Julio DÃaz in Sheffield in April and is keen to return to the ring before the end of year. His representatives remain in negotiations with Alexander, though The Telegraph understands he is one of several opponents under consideration for the Bolton fighter.
Khan’s management team is confident that the December bout would not scupper a potential fight with Mayweather. “Team Khan would like to dispel recent reports that Amir Khan has pulled out of a potential match-up against Devon Alexander on Dec 7, taking up a fight against Floyd Mayweather in May of next year instead,” they said.
“Contrary to this story, Amir Khan is currently in training camp in San Francisco with the aim of fighting again in December against Alexander once an agreement can be reached.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua, the Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist, makes his professional debut against unbeaten Italian Emanuele Leo on Saturday at London’s 02 Arena.
Joshua indicated that he could challenge for the British heavyweight title by the end of next year. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, wants the 23-year-old in action three times before 2014. “The plan is that I fight three times this year, eight times next year, and perhaps by the end of next year I could be challenging for the British or English title,” Joshua said yesterday.
It took Lennox Lewis four years to become a heavyweight world champion after he won gold at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. Joshua believes he could emulate that achievement.
“In the back of my mind, it’s a four-year cycle like the Olympics, to become a world champion,” Joshua added. “That’s very possible. That could work.”
