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Mayweather Jnr has agreed to fight me - Khan

Amir Khan wants to give Floyd Mayweather Jnr a lesson in respect © PA Photos

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Amir Khan revealed on Tuesday that Floyd Mayweather Jnr has verbally agreed to take a fight against the Briton in the near future.

Khan attended a press conference to officially confirm his December 10 collision with Lamont Peterson, where his WBA and IBF light-welterweight straps will be on the line. If successful, he then plans to move up to welterweight in 2012.

It is expected that Khan would require one bout at 147lbs in order to prepare correctly for Mayweather, who has not been beaten in his entire career. A showdown between the two pugilists would represent one of the biggest boxing events of the last decade, and Khan claims an agreement is closer than ever.

"Talks have already taken place and Mayweather has agreed to fight me," Khan told Sky Sports News. "But we can't look too far ahead because we've got Lamont Peterson and then I want to move up to 147[lbs] and have one fight at that weight.

"Talks have been [happening], Mayweather is keen to take the fight on, it'll be a huge fight. It's a timing game. It's the time now where a young, hungry fighter comes up and takes the older, experienced guy out."

Khan also confessed that he wants to teach Mayweather a lesson in respect. In the American's most recent fight, Mayweather knocked out Victor Ortiz when the challenger was not looking, and then he told veteran TV presenter Larry Merchant that he should be sacked.

"I want to go up there and clean up the division," Khan said. "Mayweather talks a lot of trash, he disrespects his fighters and disrespects presenters.

"I'd never do that. I'm a humble guy. Boxing teaches you discipline and he should be a disciplined fighter. He should be the face of boxing in a good way, not a bad way."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.