• British news

Hatton tells Khan to delay chasing Floyd

ESPN staff
January 22, 2012
Amir Khan is hoping for a rematch with Lamont Peterson © Getty Images
Enlarge

Ricky Hatton has told Amir Khan to forget about fighting Floyd Mayweather Jnr, for now, insisting the wounded Brit needs to "re-establish" himself before taking on the "number one fighter".

Khan is currently nursing his bruised pride after relinquishing his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in a narrow points defeat against Lamont Peterson last month.

Despite the loss - the second on his professional record - Khan has maintained his ambition is to step into the ring with the unbeaten Mayweather Jnr later this year.

However, retired two-weight world champion Hatton, who suffered the first defeat of his career against Mayweather Jnr in 2007, feels his fellow Brit needs to rebuild his confidence before tackling the man many consider the pound-for-pound king.

He told the Daily Star Sunday: "I think a Mayweather fight would be too soon for Amir. He is just coming off a defeat and does he really want to fight the number one fighter right now or later this year?

"I think Amir needs two or three fights to get himself re-established and get his confidence back. Then maybe he'll fight the winner of [Manny] Pacquiao and Mayweather next year.

"If Amir could put in a good performance against Peterson he will improve his position when he sits down at the negotiating table."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices