Amir Khan's build-up to Chris Algieri fight dominated by talk of Floyd Mayweather

Amir Khan is fighting Chris Algieri on Friday night yet the name of another boxer continues to hog the limelight. The seemingly inescapable spectre of Floyd Mayweather hangs over this fight and Khan’s future no matter how hard his camp try to diffuse it.

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While Khan has made no secret of his desire to be Mayweather’s next – and potentially last – opponent in September, trainer Virgil Hunter has had enough.

The 61-year-old became irritable earlier in the week when the line of questioning towards the Briton was completely centred on what happens next rather than about the dangerous former kickboxing champion who will lurk in the opposite corner of the ring at the Barclay’s Center.

With Mayweather’s next move still to be made, it was totally understandable yet a source of acute frustration for the California-based corner man.

“Everything is Floyd, Floyd, Floyd,” said an exasperated Hunter. “He has to fight Algieri. If he loses then he will be raked over the coals. He has to focus on Algieri.”

The following day at a plush media lunch in Manhattan’s meatpacking district, he went one further and banned any talk of Mayweather once and for all.

Khan, sitting next to him, smiled. He simply insisted he’s come unstuck before and knows if that happens again, the super fight he craves will become a thing of the distant past.

Hunter isn’t stupid. He is tremendously aware of how Khan has come unstuck before. Just ask Danny Garcia or Lamont Peterson what happens when the former Olympic silver medallist loses his focus.

Whatever happens next, Khan’s career is in a great place. It’s impossible to second guess Mayweather and after snubbing Khan twice before, the boy from Bolton isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket.

IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, providing he sees off Frankie Gavin at the weekend, would provide an enticing UK clash although Khan would provide a step up in class for the Sheffield fighter.

American knock-out specialist Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman or Miguel Cotto have also been mentioned. A rematch against Garcia or Peterson also appeals.

“I can’t think too far ahead,” a relaxed Khan told Sport360. “We have been working hard in the training camp and our sole focus has been on Chris Algieri. I need to put on a good show and then what happens after that will happen.

“I know what fantastic support I get in the UAE and I can promise all the fans tuning in that they will see a new Amir Khan looking faster and more dangerous than ever before. There will be fireworks.

“I have been making the weight better, sparred more rounds, I feel more explosive. The way I look at fights now and how I am prepared by Virgil means I am such a better fighter.

“I would love to fight in Dubai at one point. The support I get there is superb. A rematch with Garcia, Peterson or fighting Cotto would be great. It’s time something happened in the UAE. I need to concentrate on Algieri first though.”

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