The prospect of a clash between Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan has always seemed remote, but Khan admitted for the first time yesterday that a bout between Britain’s two best-known active boxers could happen one day.
Khan challenges Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA light-welterweight title, a belt once held by Hatton, at the O2 arena, southeast London, on June 27. But stepping up to Hatton’s division and winning a world title could put the 22-year-old on a collision course with the man he regards as a friend and hero.
“Ricky is a good friend, but it’s sport so sometimes friends have to fight each other to find out who’s the best in the division,” Khan said. “But I’d rather have him in my corner supporting me in my big fights than be against me. It will be interesting to see what happens after this.”
The bout would become more likely if Khan beats Kotelnik and Hatton loses to Manny Pacquiao, whom he faces in Las Vegas on May 2. Like Pacquiao, Khan is trained in Los Angeles by Freddie Roach. Khan flies to the United States tomorrow and revealed that he will be in Las Vegas next week training alongside Pacquiao.
“Freddie wanted me to go to Las Vegas so he can finish Manny’s camp and then start mine,” Khan said.
“Manny and Ricky are both friends, but I’m just going to stay neutral and enjoy the fight.”
ITV will screen Carl Froch’s WBC super-middleweight title defence against Jermain Taylor on Sunday night. It will be shown on ITV4 at 8.30pm and again on ITV1 at 11.15pm. There has been outrage in boxing circles after no British broadcaster bid for the rights to screen the bout live, which takes place in the early hours of Sunday at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
- To watch the bout live in the UK, it will be available on the internet for £9.95 on www.frochvtaylor.com and there will be live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
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