Khan ready for Mayweather

Amir Khan is treating his debut as headliner next Saturday at the MGM Grand, the world’s most renowned fight venue, as “a dress rehearsal for facing Floyd Mayweather” ahead of a career-defining 12 months.

Khan has left Los Angeles and its celebrity distractions – “you can’t say no to dinner with Mark Wahlberg” – and with fresh focus faces the former two-weight world champion Devon Alexander for the World Boxing Council silver welterweight title knowing that victory could propel him into blockbuster fights in 2015, with Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Kell Brook in the frame.

“This is definitely an audition, or a dress rehearsal for a fight with Mayweather,” said Khan, who showed his speed and intelligence again with a fine victory over Luis Collazo seven months ago on the undercard at the MGM. Khan, after two losses and a shaky win, was back in the bright lights.

The MGM Grand has a 20‑storey poster of the unbeaten Mayweather adorning the front of the cavernous hotel resort, billed ‘The home of Floyd Mayweather’, and is the venue that has hosted the multi-millionaire prize fighter’s last 10 contests. Khan’s fight will take place under his shadow.

“The MGM Arena has to be one of the biggest and best arenas in the world where the likes of Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and others have fought,” said Khan, from his training camp in Oakland, California. “It’s huge. Now I’m the main attraction at the MGM, the main arena in Vegas. It will be the opportunity to imagine what it will be like when I’m up against Floyd Mayweather, the biggest fight of my career.