Amir Khan has confirmed he is plotting talks with Anthony Joshua over his return to the ring in a potential bout in Africa, as the former British boxer is set to promote a major boxing card in Nigeria.
Since retiring, Khan, now 38, launched his own promoting firm, AK Promotions, as he looks to propel himself into a new career outside of the ring.
The two-time world champion spearheaded his debut major event in Accra, Ghana, earlier this summer, as he saw America’s Andrew Tabiti defeat Jacob Dickson of Ghana.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
With the event a success, Khan is looking towards his second major event, which will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
Amir Khan has confirmed he is plotting talks with Anthony Joshua over a potential bout in Africa, as the former British boxer is set to promote a major boxing card in Nigeria
|GETTY
Joshua, who has been away from the ring since his devastating knockout loss against Daniel Dubois in September of last year, has already held talks in Accra over the possibility of hosting a significant heavyweight contest on African soil.
The 35-year-old has insisted that it would be a dream to bring boxing to Africa on a global scale, given that both his parents are from Nigeria.
Anthony Joshua has already held talks over a potential bout in Africa
|PA
Fortunately, Khan is promoting a show on October 1, between Rocky Fielding and Brandon Glanton, in his parents’ native country, leading to questions that conversations could take place over a fight.
Speaking to The Sun, Khan remained optimistic over his chances of collaborating with AJ: "Why not? Definitely.
JUST IN: Tyson Fury witnesses horse die and two people rushed to hospital in terrifying scenes
Amir Khan spoke to the sun ahead of the boxing card he is promoting in Nigeria this October
|The Sun
"He's probably looking at Ghana as an option. He's had an interview with his team, his team went over to Ghana.
"So I'm sure after Nigeria, the same thing's gonna happen again. I think Nigeria for them would be more ideal because that's where AJ is from, you know what I mean?
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
"I think that makes more sense than doing it in Ghana. On a serious note, 100 per cent I would.”
French Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka has emerged as a leading candidate for a bout with AJ, and the heavyweight praised the proposed plans for a clash hosted in Africa.
"A lot of people are talking about it, and it could generate enormous interest," Yoka told L'Equipe. "If it comes to fruition, it will indeed be a huge event for African boxing."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
French Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka has become a leading candidate for a bout with Anthony Joshua, and has praised the plans to host it in Africa
|GETTY
Another option for Joshua had been YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, however there are now complications with Paul accepting a fight against Gervonta Davis on November 14.
The negotiations with Paul were advancing despite the American’s 6ft 1in frame and weight of 227.2 lbs for his heavyweight clash with Mike Tyson last November, and 199.4 lbs against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr this summer.
On the other hand, AJ boasts a substantial height advantage, standing at 6ft 6in, while he weighed in at 252.5 lbs in his loss against Daniel Dubois.
Khan believes that any proposed fight was “disgusting” and proclaimed someone would get “hurt really badly” should such a mismatch be commissioned.
Anthony Joshua's potential bout with Jake Paul has been cast into doubt after the American announced he was facing Gervonta Davis on November 14
|X
"It is disgusting and you know, someone's gonna end up getting hurt really badly in all this exhibition of boxing,” he explained.
"That's why I respect Turki Alalshikh [Saudi Arabian boxing chief] saying that he doesn't want nothing to do with these YouTubers and these exhibition fights.
"And not only that, how can you take it seriously? You look at this weight difference.
"It's a mismatch, and I just hope someone's not gonna end up getting hurt one day, as it's gonna put boxing down.
"And that's why, if you look at the sport, this is why MMA is doing so well and that people are respecting it more.
"You don't get these dummies coming in and fighting a real MMA fighter, you know what I'm saying?"