Amir Khan eyes title defence against Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas

Amir Khan is set to defend his WBA light-welterweight title against the Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez on 15 May in Las Vegas, according to unconfirmed reports last night. The world champion recently decided to join Golden Boy Promotions and try his luck in America, leaving Britain and his former promoter Frank Warren behind, and his handlers have swiftly made an offer to Marquez. The fight, which could make Khan up to £5m, will almost certainly be held in the MGM Grand Garden Arena. "Amir really wants a big fight in the US so the Marquez fight will most probably be in Las Vegas," Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, told The Sun. Khan is desperate to make a name for himself across the Atlantic and has been training in Los Angeles, working in Freddie Roach's Wild Card gym alongside Manny Pacquiao. A victory over Marquez is thought to have the potential to vastly increase Khan's reputation amongst boxing fans in America. Marquez hopes to become the first Mexican to win world titles at four different weights. However his last fight saw him unceremoniously beaten in Floyd Mayweather JR's comeback, a non-title fight. "A fight against Marquezx is a breakthrough as he is one of the best and Mexico's No1 active fighter," said Schaefer. " Once he wins against Marquez there is the possibility of a fight against Zab Judah - and then Mayweather Jr." Meanwhile Mayweather, whose proposed fight with Pacquiao was recently called off, has agreed to take on Shane Mosley, who will defend his WBA welterweight title on 1 May at the MGM Grand.