London: Amir Khan’s quest to fight for the IBF world welterweight title in Dubai will depend on a number of factors, but the 26-year-old is keen for the bout to happen in front of his adoring UAE fans, his father Shah Khan told Gulf News.
“The fight has to stack up financially for all parties concerned. Influential parties and promoters have expressed the desire to put on the fight in the UAE and Amir is excited at the prospect of his first fight in Dubai later this year. He’s been there many times on holiday and absolutely loves the UAE, but this time it would be serious business and Amir wants to prove he’s still the champion.”
Khan’s promoters Golden Boy and their chief executive Richard Schaefer will travel to Dubai next week to iron out all the details that go into organising such a high-profile fight. That visit will be crucial to the success of any fight card involving Khan, which is scheduled for December 7 and is guaranteed worldwide box office.
Shah Khan insisted that Schaefer and Golden Boy will make every effort to make the fight involving the 2004 Olympic silver medallist a reality.
“If Richard can get all the agreements in place, then Amir will be ready to face IBF world welterweight title holder Devon Alexander for his belt, with a view to then taking on Floyd Mayweather next year. One of the main issues that would need ironing out would be the requirements of the television rights holders, Showtime. They have to be accommodated to meet the demands of the US TV audiences on Eastern Standard Time,” Shah said.
Given the eight-hour time difference between the US East Coast and Dubai, that could present something of a challenge for UAE fight fans, but Schaefer will be keen to overcome the problems.
Following on from Amir Khan’s victory over Julio Diaz in Sheffield in April, San Francisco-based trainer Virgil Hunter has expressed frustration at his inability to spend more time with the fighter, but Shah moved to play down any discord by acknowledging that his son has already committed to longer training periods in the Bay Area.
Having just returned from his wedding celebrations in New York, where Amir and 20-year-old heiress Faryal Makhdoom tied the knot at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, in what was a glittering and celebrity-filled affair, the couple are now looking forward to spending time together, notwithstanding his boxing commitments.
The newly-weds returned to the UK this week and preparations are well in advance for the walima (groom’s family wedding celebrations) in Manchester this weekend.
Known for not being a fight fan, Makhdoom has publicly stated to not wanting to attend any fight involving her new husband.
However, Shah Khan reiterated what his son said earlier this year.
“Faryal accepts that this is his job, and it’s what he’s happy doing. She’s been to Bolton [Amir’s hometown] before and visited the area many times in the past and this is where they’ve agreed to set up home,” he said.
— The writer is a freelance journalist based in the UK
