• Boxing

Casamayor to fight Khan on July 31 claims manager

ESPN staff
June 4, 2010
Joel Casamayor was beaten by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2008 © Getty Images
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Joel Casamayor will provide Amir Khan's next opponent in the boxing ring, according to the Cuban's manager Luis DeCubas.

The 38-year-old Casamayor, who is a former WBC lightweight and WBA super featherweight champion, was one of two options open to Khan, who is desperate to fight before the start of August. The Bolton-born fighter plans to honour Ramadan, a month-long period starting on August 11 that means huge alterations to the diet, but he is keen to fight twice more in the calendar year.

Michael Katsidis, who recently defeated Kevin Mitchell, was the other option mooted as an opponent for Khan, who battered Paulie Malignaggi last time out. However, Casamayor has become the most viable option after Katsidis reportedly pulled out of the bout, and DeCubas revealed the finer details of the fight are now being agreed.

"July 31 is the date we're fighting Amir," he was quoted as saying on boxingscene.com.

"The money hasn't been squared 100 per cent but we're working on that now."

Casamayor looked far from his best in his last outing, a unanimous decision victory over Jason Davis, but he has got a victory over Katsidis to his name back in March 2008. Ahead of his likely bout with Khan at London's o2 Arena, he delivered a chilling warning to the reigning WBA light-welterweight champion.

"I am going to knock out Amir Khan - dead," stated Casamayor. "I am a four-time world champion in two different weight classes and I am going to prove he's a nobody."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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