• Boxing

Khan set to face Morales or Barrios in December

ESPN staff
July 29, 2011
Erik Morales fought Manny Pacquiao in 2006 © Getty Images
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Amir Khan looks set to face Erik Morales or Jorge Barrios in a unification clash later this year after Timothy Bradley was reportedly stripped of the WBC light-welterweight title.

Bradley told his hometown newspaper, the Desert Sun, that he has had the strap ripped away because he has not defended the title since winning it from Devon Alexander in January. Barrios and Morales are expected to face each other for the vacant WBC belt on September 17.

Khan gave Bradley the chance to fight him earlier this year, but his offer was refused by the American, who still owns the WBO championship. Following the snub from Bradley, Khan went on to face - and defeat - IBF champion Zab Judah, clinching a sixth-round knockout in Las Vegas.

The Brit is planning one more fight in the light-welterweight division before moving up to welterweight in 2012, and Morales or Barrios now look like the most likely opponents for that December clash, with Bradley embroiled in a dispute with his former promoter.

Morales (51-7) lost to Marcos Maidana, who Khan beat in 2010, in his last fight, while Barrios (50-4-1) has been involved in only three bouts in the last three years.

If Khan beats either, he will end his spell at 140lb unbeaten - and with the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, a haul that would significantly boost his chances of fighting Floyd Mayweather Jnr at some point next year.

Khan aims to have one fight at welterweight in early 2012, most likely against England's Kell Brook, before setting his sights on Mayweather.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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