• Boxing

Khan defence plans on hold

ESPN staff
June 11, 2010
Amir Khan showed some real quality against Paulie Malignaggi © Getty Images
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The World Cup is set to derail Amir Khan's plans for a quick-fire defence of his WBA light-welterweight crown.

Khan won over many boxing fans in America with his hugely-impressive victory against Paulie Malignaggi in New York and had signalled his intention to make a swift defence back in England.

A fight in late July, possibly with Joel Casamayor, had been mooted but Richard Schaefer, the chief executive of Khan's promoter, Golden Boy, does not feel it is a good time to host a fight.

"After the World Cup and during the holidays is not a good time to do pay-per-view," Schaefer said. "Given the success of the Malignaggi fight, which got great viewing figures in America, it might not be the best thing to have a poor pay-per-view. Better to wait."

Ramadan during the month of August, when Muslims do not eat during daylight hours, means it is likely to be the winter before Khan is seen back in the ring - against either Juan Manuel Marquez or Marcos Maidana.

"Amir and Freddie Roach [his trainer] tell me they want Maidana, but I think Marquez, if he beats Juan Diaz in their rematch [in Las Vegas on July 31], will be bigger," Schaefer said. "That fight could be in England or the US."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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