• Boxing

Mayweather 'keen on Khan showdown'

Floyd Mayweather Jnr has a win on his CV over Zab Judah, Amir Khan's next opponent © Getty Images

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Preliminary discussions have taken place over a 2012 fight between Amir Khan, the WBA light-welterweight champion, and Floyd Mayweather Jnr, the unbeaten American legend.

Khan has repeatedly called out Mayweather as he prepares to step into the welterweight division after a July 23rd title defence against IBF king Zab Judah.

Mayweather, who faces Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title in September, would be the toughest-possible introduction to the new division - Khan is unlikely to face Manny Pacquiao, who is also trained by Freddie Roach - but the Brit is up for the challenge, and so is Mayweather, according to Golden Boy Promotions supremo Richard Schaefer.

"We believe in Amir and believe he is ready. These are big plans but Team Khan are on board," he said. "I've had conversations with Mayweather and his adviser Al Haymon and they are definitely open to a fight with Amir Khan, absolutely."

Schaefer also revealed that Mayweather, whose fight against Ortiz will be his first since May 2010, is keen to be more active in the next couple of years - although a Pacquiao fight remains a distant possibility, no matter how much Mayweather claims he wants it. Pacquiao has started legal proceedings against Mayweather, and there is no sign of their blood-testing dispute being resolved.

"Floyd has indicated he would like to do the Pacquiao fight," said Schaefer. "He said to me he'd be open to fighting Pacquiao next if the testing issue can be sorted out. Amir would then fight in the autumn against Mayweather.

"I spent the last week with Mayweather and he said he wants to fight more than once per year. Whether he delivers on that promise, I don't know, but I really believe he does want to fight several times a year.

"He's mentioned to me the possibility of fighting in December again. Floyd has rediscovered his love for boxing and is ready to go. He's hungry again."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.