First the ONE lightweight belt, then Eddie Alvarez, says Amir Khan

Rising Singaporean lightweight star Amir Khan has declared his intent to challenge ONE Championship newcomer Eddie Alvarez.

As Khan gears up for his lightweight title showdown against Filipino Eduard Folayang at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena next month, he signalled his interest in meeting Alvarez early next year.

“Yes, 100 per cent I am interested in fighting him,” Khan said.

“Alvarez is a legend of the sport, so it will be an honor for me to face him,” he added. “In my mind I know I’m going to face Eddie Alvarez at some point, and if I win the belt, I will have to face him next year.

“I’ve put it out of my mind at the moment, and even if I win that belt, I’m not going to take a long vacation.

“I will have one week’s rest and get back to training. You’ve just got to be ready.

“I can’t really say I’m the champion of the division until I beat the best.”

Irrespective of the result against Folayang on November 23, Khan believes he is destined to face Alvarez, who is a multiple-time World Champion in different promotions, which earned him the nickname of “The Underground King”.

“I feel that win, lose or draw I will meet him some time next year,” Khan added. “It would be a big stepping stone. If I beat him it would be huge for my career.

“I’ve trained so hard for this and it would prove that I’m a good martial artist and I can compete against the best.

Khan is just one win away from realizing his dream of winning a world title. It comes after Australian Martin Nguyen relinquished the lightweight belt when he succumbed to a knee injury. But Khan is not fazed that he didn’t get an opportunity to take the belt from Nguyen.

“It doesn’t worry me because I’m just focused on that belt. Whoever has that belt, I want to face them,” Khan said. “It doesn’t concern me. I would be happy to face Martin if he came back to lightweight, but I’m happy to fight Eduard.”

Asked how he would fare against Nguyen, Khan quipped: “I’m pretty confident I could get through him”.

“Stylistically he’s a good match for me. He has some dangers that I have to be wary of, but if I can avoid his strong punches and his takedowns I would be safe with him.”

How do you think the upcoming ONE lightweight title challenger Amir Khan would fare against Eddie Alvarez and Martin Nguyen?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/31/2018.