Khan's Dubai dream on hold: Alexander fight set for USA


Mofo2

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Amir Khan’s ambition to fight in Dubai will have to wait as his bid to challenge IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander looks set to take place in the United States. Talks have been taking place since the summer to stage the mouth-watering title showdown in the Emirates.

 

But despite Khan’s desire to make an historic appearance in the Gulf, Golden Boy Promotions are poised to confirm the Barclays Center in Brooklyn will be the venue for the December 7 bout.

 

“That’s the probability now,†admitted chief executive Richard Schaefer, who is looking at a bill that could feature former two-division world champion Zab Judah against either Paulie Malignaggi or the promising welterweight Shawn Porter.

American Alexander added that an announcement was imminent: “December 7, Barclays,†he said on Friday night.

 

“They still working on it, but it looks solid. I think we’re pretty close so you guys will hear something within a couple of weeks.

“He (Khan) knows I’ve been wanting to fight since day one. I’ve been wanting to fight Amir Khan, he knows and his team

 

knows. We just got to come up with a conclusion.â€

 

Both Khan and Alexander are in Las Vegas for tomorrow morning’s blockbusting WBA/WBC light middleweight clash between Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.It is being co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, whose CEO Schaefer had been trying to finalise the deal in Dubai.

 

But a combination of factors look to have thwarted that ambitious plan for now. While finances to stage such a top contest needed to be in place, especially to persuade Alexander to give up home advantage and fight in the Gulf, the appeal to the lucrative US pay-per-view television market and lack of a ready-made venue proved concerns.

 

It had been suggested that a large temporary arena would be built at the Burj Khalifa to provide a spectacular setting.

And that may well still happen in 2014 if Khan succeeds in being a world champion again. Should the 26-year-old Briton overcome Alexander, though, he could also be in line to face the winner of the meeting between Mayweather Jnr and Alvarez

 

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