Amir Khan vs. Ruslan Provodnikov Bout Could Take Place on Nov. 7 in New York
World Boxing Council Silver Welterweight title holder Amir Khan could move on from not facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. this fall by finally accepting a match against former champion Ruslan Provodnikov.
Showtime Sports general manager Stephen Espinoza told Boxing Scene that he's arranging a bout between Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) and Provodnikov (24-4, 17 KOs) for November.
"We're hoping to put things together for November 7th, at Barclays. We're hoping Khan will accept the fight. Provodnikov is all-in and ready to do it," BoxingScene.
The Showtime executive is hoping that "King Khan" will confirm when they present the proposal this weekend.
Earlier, "King Khan" devised a plan B to still face another fighter this fall when Floyd Mayweather Jr. hinted he could be fighting with Andre Berto.
"If I don't get the September fight I'd like to be back out again in November or December like normal...It will have to be a big one and I'll leave it to Al Haymon," Khan told Sport360.
Since Mayweather is officially clashing with Andre Berto for his supposed farewell fight on Saturday in Las Vegas, Khan should stick with his plan and fight other boxers. However, if he confirms to be Provodnikov's opponent this November, he should not take this lightly, especially because several eyes will be watching him.
In 2016, Khan could be clashing with the Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Telegraph reported, citing Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. Khan has to prove that he is something worth colliding to, especially "Pacman's" adviser, Michael Koncz, is not impressed with his style and his punching power, per a separate article of Boxing Scene.
Also, International Boxing Federation champ Kell Brook will also be observing the fight to prepare for their planned All-British showdown next year, The National noted. Khan wouldn't want to hear "brittle" chin comments again from Brook, per Boxing Scene, would he?
Third, just in case "The Money" comes back next year, the London-native should deliver his best to impress the current pound-for-pound king into fighting him.
Still, there's a chance Khan may not agree to clash with Provodnikov. In April, Khan defeated Chris Algieri, who, in turn, defeated Provodnikov last year via a split decision, per BoxRec. Moreover, Provodnikov just came out of a loss against Lucas Martin Matthysse in April, too, so the pressure for him to defeat Provodnikov is greater.
Thus, fighting him to impress the camps of Pacquiao, Brook or Mayweather is a double-edged sword, as he will still be criticized anyway, whether he wins or not.
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