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Hatton to Khan: Stay away from Mayweather for a year

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
Former champion advises compatriot

Ricky Hatton believes that Amir Khan should stay away from WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather for the time being and have ‘two or three fights’ before contemplating a challenge against the 42-0 pound for pound king.

The former two-weight world champion, who is now a trainer and promoter, would love to see Khan in a rematch with Lamont Peterson following their controversial battle in December ended with the American taking the Bolton man’s WBA and IBF belts.

“I think a Mayweather fight would be too soon for Amir,” Hatton told The Daily Star Sunday.

“He is just coming off a defeat and does he really want to fight the number one fighter right now or later this year?

“I think Amir needs another two or three fights to get himself re-established and get his confidence back. Then maybe he’ll fight the winner of Mayweather-Pacquiao next year.

“If Amir could put in a good performance against Peterson he will improve his position when he sits down at the negotiating ­table.

“Plus Mayweather and ­Pacquiao will then have more miles on the clock and Amir can come in and pick up the pieces.

Hatton, 33, also weighed in on the scorecard row which has dominated the headlines in recent weeks as Mustafa Ameen was spotted in the vicinity of the WBA supervisor Michael Welsh when not appointed.

“I think Amir deserves a rematch with Peterson because there seems to be something going on with the judges’ scorecards and no one should be allowed near the judges.

“But it was a good fight anyway, so let them fight again.

“You can’t take anything away from Peterson and I think the fight was too close to call – it could have gone either way – even with the points taken off Amir.

“If Amir can’t get Peterson, maybe he’ll go for Tim Bradley, fight for his old WBA title or move up to welterweight – but don’t go near Mayweather for the next 12 months.”

25 year-old Khan expects to learn by the end of next week if his request for a rematch with Peterson has been accepted after the American appealed a ruling by the WBA demanding the two share a ring again next.

Peterson, 27, is chasing a bout with Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez rather than Khan and if successful with his appeal, would then force the Briton to move up to welterweight earlier than expected.

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