John Locher/Associated Press

Floyd Mayweather has said he is ready to fight Amir Khan in order to grant his father's wishes to beat the British fighter.

Tom Bellwood of the Mail Online writes that Floyd Mayweather Sr. is "desperate" to see his son accept a fight with Khan in order to put the 27-year-old pretender in his place. The younger Mayweather said:

He (Khan) is a good fighter—he has quick hands—but I am a far more intelligent fighter than him—and I could already tell you how I would beat him. My dad wants the fight, I want to put him on his backside, so hopefully we can make it happen. I have always said that nobody has any right just to get a fight with me. I am nobody's payday, I am nobody's meal ticket. I take fights that I believe will test me, and will put on a good show for the fans.

Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

Khan has been tipped to face Mayweather for some time, and it now seems the superfight is possible. Mayweather is still considered the pound-for-pound best in boxing, but Khan would offer a credible threat to the ageing star.

The 37-year-old still has his perfect record intact at present, having fought and won his 47 professional bouts, with 26 coming by way of knockout. But at 10 years his junior, Khan is coming into his prime and has developed into an improved all-round ring entity. His current record is 29-3, with 19 KOs.

Mexican boxer Jose Luis Castillo Jr. believes Mayweather very much wants the fight with Khan:

Khan recently spoke about a possible bout with Mayweather or his former training partner, Manny Pacquiao, per Donald McRae of The Guardian:

Boxing is all about timing, and Manny and Floyd are getting older. Someone has to take their place. Mayweather would be a very technical fight, like a game of chess. But I think Manny would be harder. He’s much more aggressive, and it would be more intense. But with my trainer Virgil Hunter, I’m a much better and more defensive fighter.

John Locher/Associated Press

Stylistically, a fight between Mayweather and Khan would be electrifying. Khan's raiding combinations versus Mayweather's supreme defence would make boxing fans truly excited.

But as Mayweather gets older, it is questionable if he would seriously consider fighting the Brit. Khan would have all the motivation needed to beat Mayweather, but as the years move forward, there will come a point where the Money Man is no longer a top athlete.

If the fight can be made, it will give Khan the opportunity of a lifetime to take on the best fighter of his generation. The boy from Bolton could finally prove he deserves the plaudits he has received over the years.