News: Amir Khan Eyes Malignaggi As Marquez Pulls Out

AMIR KHAN wants to fight New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi in his home town for his US debut.

The WBA light-welterweight champion switched his focus to the 29-year-old American after Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez pulled out.

Khan, hoping for a Madison Square Gardens showdown, said: "May 15 is the date that I have, the fight will be in America, and opponent - we are looking at Malignaggi.

"We were looking at Marquez, who pulled out, so it's Malignaggi up to now and we want to hear what he thinks about the fight.

"Golden Boy have put the fight to his promoter Lou DiBella, so we will see where we go from here.

"I want to fight him in his home town and beat him in his home town in front of his own people.

"The fight has not been made 100 per cent yet but I think there is a very good chance of it happening.

"When it does happen, I'm just going to go in there and do what I normally do. I think Malignaggi has a style which is going to make me look good.

"He's not at my level. He has a few good wins in America but it's another fight for me and I'll go there and do what I have to do."

Khan insisted his online feud with Malignaggi was not his own doing after revealing a pal of his had been baiting his rival on social networking site Twitter.

The Bolton star said: "I'm new on Twitter. A friend was looking after it at first until I took over. My image is not talking trash - I let my fists do all the talking.

Source