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Kell Brook, Manny Pacquiao or Conor McGregor… what next for Amir Khan after Terence Crawford defeat?

Amir Khan will take time to assess his next move following a damaging defeat to Terence Crawford.

Khan challenged the man regarded by some as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet for the WBO welterweight crown at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

After being dropped in the first round, the Briton recovered until the fight’s bizarre conclusion in the sixth round when an accidental low blow from Crawford left the challenger unable to continue.

The 2004 Olympic silver medallist has quickly dismissed talk he could retire from boxing in the wake of his latest defeat – a fifth of his 14-year professional career.

While he insists he has “a lot left in me”, Khan could find his options more limited than ever, however.

Standard Sport considers what could be next for the 32-year-old.


Crawford rematch?

Khan has said he would love the chance to do battle with the undefeated 31-year-old again. While the controversial manner of Saturday’s defeat could lead to his camp exploring that option with the WBO, Crawford will almost certainly have his eye on bigger and better things.

Crawford currently holds one of the four world titles in a red hot welterweight division, and has made it clear his focus is now on securing a huge unification fight with IBF champion Errol Spence Jnr.

A rematch is unlikely to interest Crawford. (Action Images via Reuters)
A rematch is unlikely to interest Crawford. (Action Images via Reuters)

There are also fights with WBA champion Keith Thurman and WBC champion Shawn Porter to be had.


Kell Brook?

Khan turned down the chance to meet long-time adversary Brook in order to pursue glory against Crawford.

Although the appetite for that all-British clash certainly isn’t as strong as it once was, the fight remains in the offing with Brook emphatically stating Khan has no other options left after Saturday’s sobering defeat.

“He just looked for a way out, he were getting beat in every department. He will want to fight me now, he’s got nowhere to go,” Brook told AB Boxing News.

Brook and Khan have been circling each other for years. (Getty Images)
Brook and Khan have been circling each other for years. (Getty Images)

Manny Pacquiao?

Khan has long pursued a clash with Filipino legend Pacquiao, who is still active at the age of 40 – comprehensively beating Adrien Broner at the start of the year.

A legacy fight could provide a perfect final chapter in the careers of both men who are also former sparring partners – and could provide Khan with perhaps his only realistic remaining title shot at welterweight.

Pacquiao holds the WBA ‘regular’ title – a belt outranked by Keith Thurman’s ‘Super’ championship.

Talks over Khan vsPacquiao have been held in the past. (Getty Images)
Talks over Khan vsPacquiao have been held in the past. (Getty Images)

Conor McGregor?

Khan is among a clutch of boxers open to the idea of taking on the two-weight UFC champion inside the boxing ring.

McGregor recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts – comments to be taken with a rather large pinch of salt – but another foray into boxing following his 2017 defeat to Floyd Mayweather could be an option he explores.

Khan has welcomed talk of an “English vs Irish” meeting with the Dubliner.

McGregor made his boxing debut in 2017. (Getty Images)
McGregor made his boxing debut in 2017. (Getty Images)

“I mean it’s business, isn’t it?” Khan told talkSPORT days before the Crawford fight.

“We’re at a level now where it makes great business like Floyd Mayweather. We all learned from Floyd Mayweather – how he makes fights happen.

Conor McGregor vs Amir Khan would be a massive fight. It’d be huge, you’ve got Irish vs English so that’ll be massive.

“If that happens, I’m not one to turn away from that.”