Vijender not at my level, says Amir

NEW DELHI: Vijender Singh's seventh straight win as a professional has set into motion talks of a possible showdown with British boxer Amir Khan. However, the latter has suggested that Vijender should not hurry things. Vijender beat Australia's Kerry Hope to take the WBO Asia Pacific title on Saturday.
"I like Vijender, he is a great talent but sometimes you can't bite more than you can chew.It is too early in his career to try and challenge established boxers like me. If he fights with me at this time, it will destroy his professional career. This is not to disrespect him but he has to be smart while choosing opponents. There is a big difference between his and my level," 29-year-old Khan, who is of Pakistani origin, told TOI.
"He has a great future ahead of him. He is skilful and wants to be the best but he has to gain of a lot of experience. He played a great match but at the moment he lacks experience. He wants to be at the level where I am. For that he needs to stay focussed and keep winning. I became WBA light-welterweight champions at the age of 22, now I am 29," he added.
Amir, who has planned a trip to India next month, is hopeful of meeting Vijender and hinted that a fight may be in the making. Khan, who is in Dubai, was knocked out by world champion Saul Canelo Alvarez in the middleweight contest in May. "The fight, if it happens, could make big big noise. I being a British-Pakistani boxer and Vijender being an Indian could cause a lot of noise. It could be as big as a cricket match. TV viewership will be huge," he said.
When asked if Vijender could be a threat, Amir reiterated that the Indian was not at his level. "He has to achieve a lot to be at the top. If you look at my resume, I have over 35 fights. At 17, I was youngest ever to win an Olympic medal," the Athens Olympics bronze medallist said.
Reacting to Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum comments that he was 'yesterday's news', Amir said: "He is saying that because they know I am a big threat to Manny and that's why he wants to avoid fighting me. Manny and I are at the same level, same age and it will make for a huge fight."