Mouthwatering Khan McCloskey world title clash a real possibility

It's a mouthwatering prospect the classy southpaw has been canvassing for for a number of years and it now looks a distinct probability after a contest with Khan's first choice opponent Lamont Peterson fell through due to the latter apparently demanding "too much money."

Speaking to the Sentinel this morning (Friday) McCloskey said talks were still underway but hoped a deal could be sealed on what would prove a massive fight in this part of the world.

"I heard him talking on a chat show and he actually said 'McCloskey, he's undefeated,' and it's clear he rates me as a fighter," he said.

"And at the end of the day, it's a fight that will bring in huge support in this part of the world," he added.

It's a chance the Dungiven man has been working towards for a number of years now.

But he says it is down to sheer hard work, his EBU title win against Daniel Rasilla in 2009, and his accompanying elevation to number five in the world rankings - that it now looks so close to becoming a reality.

"Only for the fact that I'm 22 0 undefeated and number five in the world it might still be falling on deaf ears," he told the paper.

McCloskey said he rated Khan as a fighter but said he saw chinks in the Bolton fighter's armour.

"He's been regarded as the golden boy of boxing and - don't get me wrong - he's a good fighter, but I don't think he punches as a hard as his record suggests.

"He throws a lot of fast punches but I've got very fast reflexes and he's not going to be able to land six or eight punches on me," he said.

And while McCloskey accepts Khan has clearly improved as a boxer under the guardianship of Freddie Roach who has been his trainer since Colombian Breidis Prescott knocked him out in Manchester in 2008, he reckons there are weaknesses to be worked on.

"That last fight (Marcos Maidana), he could have been stopped in the 10th round, it was a tough, tough fight. And I can cause problems for anyone, it doesn't matter who you are," he said.

Speculation over a possible clash between the pair began after Khan said "he wanted to get it on with McCloskey" via the social networking and broadcasting interface Twitter.

Khan then remarked on BBC radio: "He approached us. He's an undefeated fighter. I'm happy to take the fight on."

The Bolton-fighter has also indictaed he wants to unify the light-welterweight division this year by taking on the winner of the January 29 unification bout between

US fighters Timothy Bradley (WBO) and Devon Alexander (WBC).

If the mouthwatering Ireland England clash takes place it is likely to happen at the MEN Arena in Manchester on April 16, which has already been booked for the now scuppered Peterson fight.