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Amir Khan says Floyd Mayweather Jr might dilute his own legacy

Floyd Mayweather Jr. celebrates the unanimous decision victory over Manny Pacquiao
Image: Floyd Mayweather: Under fire from Amir Khan

Amir Khan believes Floyd Mayweather Jr is in danger of 'messing his own legacy up' if he continues to refuse to fight him.

The unbeaten American (48-0-0-KO26) beat Manny Pacquiao in May and claims he will fight for the final time on September 12 - naming Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield as the leading candidates for his ring farewell.

Khan (31-3-0-KO19) has made no secret of his desire to secure a big-money clash with 38-year-old Mayweather but has thus far been rebuffed, although two weeks ago, the Bolton fighter revealed he had been involved in a heated exchange with Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Speaking to Ringcast.net, Khan said: "We've been talking to Al Haymon and hopefully we'll find out in a week what's going to happen. Mayweather wants to fight on September 12 and I'll be ready for that date. 

"Floyd says he thinks he needs an easy fight now because he's proved himself by beating Pacquiao. He wants to fight Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield. No disrespect to those two because they're good fighters and good friends of mine too.

He needs to finish on a high. What he's probably going to do is leave the game on a low and I think that's the worst thing to do.
Khan on Mayweather

"I think he's messing his own legacy up. He needs to finish on a high. What he's probably going to do is leave the game on a low and I think that's the worst thing to do.

"I spoke to his father and he says it'd be an easy fight if Mayweather fought me. If it'd be so easy then why not do it?

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"Mayweather hasn't announced who he wants to fight yet. He's mentioned a few names but mine should've been in there because it's a fight that the fans want and it's a fight that would make big money."

One man who is chasing a bout with Khan is unbeaten IBF world welterweight champion Kell Brook, who looks set to defend his belt against Brandon Rios on the same September date.

Khan, however, remains adamant the Sheffield fighter has not earned the right to call him out.

Kell Brook
Image: Kell Brook: Unproven on world stage, says Khan

The Olympic silver medallist added: "When the question comes to me, why don't you fight Kell Brook? My body's taken wear and tear fighting all the top guys, the world champions so why isn't Kell doing that? Why should I give him this big pay day he's after? 

"My name gets mentioned among Mayweather and Pacquiao - that's the level I'm at. If I was him, I'd be chasing after guys like Timothy Bradley, who refused to fight me. Kell Brook needs to fight some decent names first and then he can have that big fight against me.

"Let him build his name, let him prove himself and let people say he's untouchable and then I'll come beat him. We're both the same age, young and hungry and I've done a lot more in my career. I believe he has to step it up a little bit.

"It'd be a big fight in the UK and I know the fans want it but this is all about timing. He needs to prove himself at world level. Even Brandon Rios is a lightweight really."

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