WBA titlist Amir Khan has only one goal remaining at 140 pounds after his April 16 bout with Paul McCloskey; get WBO champ Timothy Bradley in the ring.
Khan and Bradley are considered by most to be the top guys of the division following their respective wins over Marcos Maidana and Devon Alexander. While Khan’s homecoming bout against McCloskey is viewed as an exhibition, the young titlist is aware that an impressive win on HBO is vital to drumming up public interest for a Bradley unification.
“I’m not looking too far ahead, but the goal is to get [Paul] McCloskey out the way in good style,” Khan explained. “Then hopefully unify the division by beating Bradley. I already know I have the style to beat Bradley.”
While Khan’ last fight against Marcos Maidana won Fight of the Year from the Boxing Writer’s Association of America, Bradley’s bout against Devon Alexander was universally panned as a disappointment from fans and critics. Weighed down by frequent clinches and an anti-climatic head butt ending, Khan believes the Alexander-Bradley fight halted the division’s momentum in the public’s eyes. If Khan has his way, his fights with McCloskey and Bradley will re-establish junior welterweight as the most exciting division in boxing.
“I’ve said it before that 140 pounds is the most exciting division in boxing. Alexander-Bradley definitely hurt the division,” Khan recalled. “I remember I was working for Sky Sports doing commentary; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We had two fighters that were believed to be the best. Devon Alexander had been built up, but I said from day one he was never in the Top 2. Bradley did what he had to do. He had to beat the guy and he did that.”
“What Alexander did was give up. Boxing is all about being strong and overcoming obstacles, not looking for excuses to get out of the fight. It showed who’s the champion and who isn’t. It hurt the division because we were expecting a fight like me and Maidana. I proved myself by beating Maidana who was a Top 4 guy in the division. Starting the year off with Alexander-Bradley should have been a big fight. I was a bit unhappy and it was boring to watch, honestly.”
HBO will air Khan-McCloskey on April 16 at 9:45 PM ET. The bout will be live from Manchester’s M.E.N. Arena.
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