|
 Mayweather, who outboxed Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez in his most
recent bout in September, has a perfect 45-0 record and is expected
to announce shortly who he will fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
in Las Vegas on May 3.
"I'm going to let the fans vote. Tell me who I should fight next.
Khan or Maidana?" Mayweather posted on his personal Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram accounts on Monday.
Nicknamed "Money" for his flamboyant and often extravagant
lifestyle, Mayweather is known for his creative stunts and his
taking to social networks for advice on his next opponent comes as
no surprise.
Though many boxing fans would love to see Filipino southpaw Manny
Pacquiao take on the American in what has long been a heavily
anticipated matchup, Khan and Maidana now appear to be the two most
logical options.
Pacquiao lost much of his appeal after successive defeats to
American Timothy Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012,
prompting talk of his possible retirement, while Khan and Maidana
both have time on their side.
Englishman Khan, a 27-year-old who is a two-time world champion, has
compiled a 28-3 record with 20 knockouts and is known for his hand
and foot speed, as well as his charisma.
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who used to coach Khan, believes
the Briton has all the attributes needed to hand Mayweather his
first ever defeat as a professional.
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"I've always said Amir has the right style to beat Floyd if he
fights correctly and doesn't stay in the pocket too long," Roach
told reporters earlier this year. "I always thought he could beat
him with his speed.
"I think he's faster than Mayweather and that's what it takes to
beat him. Floyd might have his hands full on the night."
Maidana, 30, has a professional record of 35-3 with 31 knockouts and
won his most recent bout in December with a unanimous decision
against the heavily favored American Adrien Broner to claim the WBA
welterweight title.
Whether Mayweather's next opponent is Khan or Maidana, or perhaps
someone else, that boxer will face a daunting task against one of
the best defensive fighters of all time.
Aged 36, Mayweather is known for his conditioning and meticulous
preparation, and produced a masterclass when he beat Alvarez by
majority decision at the MGM Grand to take the Mexican's WBA and WBC
super welterweight titles.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles;
editing by Ian
Ransom)
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