By Jack Price
According to reports, Amir ‘King’ Khan is looking for a fight with former welterweight world champion Vyacheslav Senchenko in an attempt to get revenge for fellow British boxing superstar Ricky Hatton who’s career was ended by the Ukrainian in November of last year. If the fight does get made it is expected to take place in Britain, meaning it will be Khan’s first fight on home soil in over two years.
Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) is attempting to persuade Senchenko (33-1, 22 KO’s) to drop to 140lb for the fight but also surprisingly seems open to taking the fight at 147lb too. Despite showing no intentions of stepping up in weight in recent interviews, Khan also stated that he may even consider staying at welterweight if he wins the fight.
The 26-year old bounced back from back-to-back losses against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia by stopping Carlos Molina in 10 rounds on December 15th. Under new trainer Virgil Hunter he believes that he can become world champion once again if he takes his time and gest the right fights.
Senchenko, 34, made a great name for himself when he stopped Ricky Hatton with a devastating body shot at the Manchester Arena back in November. With just one loss on his record against Paulie Malignaggi, who Khan stopped in 11 rounds back in 2010, he also believes that he can become a world champion once again.
Negotiations have already begun and a date of April 20th looks most likely. According to the Sun newspaper Senchenko is asking for a £500,000 payday.
This is a wise move from Khan and his team. Senchenko is now a known fighter in the UK after disposing of Hatton, and with Khan claiming he is out to get “revenge” it adds that little extra spice you need for it to be a marketable fight. I’ve said for the last few months that Khan needs to fight back on his home soil. He’s a big name in America, but a massive name in Britain. Expect this fight to sell out fast if it does take place.
