Floyd Mayweather recently said that he is open to facing Manny Pacquiao in a super fight in 2015, but Paulie Malignaggi believes that Amir Khan should be the reigning pound-for-pound king's next opponent.
Malignaggi said in interview with ESPN UK that he understands why boxing fans are still looking for a showdown between Mayweather and Pacquiao because it has the potential to become the richest fight in boxing history.
"For the mainstream sports fans that don't really understand boxing the way they should then the Mayweather- Pacquiao fight will always be the dream fight that never happened so if it can happen then it will generate a ton of interest, a ton of worldwide audience," Malignaggi said.
However, Malignaggi, a former world welterweight champion, pointed out that Mayweather will easily defeat Pacquiao, saying that the Filipino boxing icon is not the same fighter as he was before.
"I actually think it's a pretty easy fight for Floyd Mayweather to win and I think Khan would pose a big risk to the prefect record of Floyd Mayweather," Malignaggi said.
"I actually think it's a pretty easy fight for Floyd Mayweather to win and I think Khan would pose a big risk to the prefect record of Floyd Mayweather," added Malignaggi, who lost to Khan in May 2010.
Khan, who is coming off an impressive unanimous decision victory against Luis Collazo in May, recently called out Mayweather again, saying that he is the most deserving to get a shot at the unbeaten champion.
The Bolton, England native reiterated that he is a big threat to Mayweather, while also adding that the reigning pound-for-pound king is ripe for the picking because he is slowly showing signs of aging.
"Floyd, as we all know, isn't the biggest puncher," Khan said. "His footwork has slowed down, he only throws single punches and gets hit a lot more. We all know Maidana isn't the quickest, and he still got through with shots. Now it makes sense why the fight isn't happening between me and Mayweather. Is he afraid of the speed, explosiveness and power?"
Khan is planning to return to the ring in December against a yet-to-be-named opponent and the Briton is hoping that a win will finally lead to his dream fight against Mayweather.
