Mayweather warns Khan: I'm not a meal ticket for your big pay day

Floyd Mayweather has told Amir Khan that he is not a 'meal ticket for a big pay day' and warned the British boxer that he needs to work hard to prove he is worth fighting.

Khan is hoping to be Mayweather's next opponent and take him on in Las Vegas next May - after his fight against Devon Alexander for the world welterweight title in December.

But 'The Money' Mayweather, whose mantra is 'hard work, dedication', said: 'There is always guys who want to fight me. They know they can't beat me but they want to fight me for the payday. I ain't nobody's meal ticket.



Phoning it in: Floyd Mayweather, watching basketball this week, has said he is no-one's 'meal ticket'

All smiles: But Mayweather (centre) has warned Khan (left) is has to earn the right to fight him

'If you deserve a chance against me then I will give you it but not because you are running your mouth off.

'I know Amir has been running his mouth off saying he wants to fight me but he wont earn a shot that way.

'If he works hard and proves he is worthy of a shot - that's when he will get his wish.'

Mayweather's warning comes after Khan's own American trainer told him that unless he commits himself to boxing as totally as Mayweather he will never become a truly great world champion.

Top man: Floyd Mayweather celebrates his majority decision victory over Canelo Alvarez

Challenge: But Khan has been told to up his dedication to 100 per cent to reach Mayweather's level

Virgil Hunter's lifestyle warning came after he and Khan watched Mayweather put on a master-class to defeat great Mexican hope Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Hunter told Khan: 'You have to make this sport your absolute priority if what you want is to be the best.

'Floyd looks amazing but that's because he has done it the way it has to be done. If Amir changes his ideas, really commits to boxing and really becomes a student of the game he could grow very quickly.

'Most of the fighters like Amir who come to me to save their careers have the same thing in common. They don't have 100 per cent dedication. That is what it takes and that is what I preach.'