• Boxing

Khan confirms Bradley is 'backing out'

ESPN staff
May 10, 2011
Amir Khan's plans for the future are up in the air © PA Photos
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Amir Khan has confirmed that his light-welterweight unification clash with Timothy Bradley, which looked a formality a few weeks ago, is now in danger of collapse.

After Khan defended his WBA strap against Paul McCloskey last month, it appeared a matter of time before he took to the ring against Bradley, the unbeaten American who holds the WBO and WBC titles.

But while Khan insists he is ready to sign a contract to secure the fight, which has been pencilled in for July, it appears Bradley is reluctant, with reports suggesting he is considering moving up to welterweight in order to seal a clash with Manny Pacquiao.

"I want the fight. I don't know why he's backing out," Khan told boxingscene.com. "He's just not going for the fight right now, and I can't believe it, really. The guy has no balls and I think he realises he can't beat me. He just wants to cash in by fighting Manny Pacquiao."

Whether Bradley wants to fight Pacquiao or not, he is behind Juan Manuel Marquez in the queue to fight the celebrated Filipino. Top Rank, Pacquiao's promoters, have offered Marquez the chance to fight their star man in October, according to Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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