Amir Khan being lined up for Mayweather in 2013

Oscar De La Hoya, Khan’s US promoter, believes the 25-year-old British has the skills to challenge Mayweather for the No 1 pound for pound title, but his CEO Schaefer insisted yesterday that the British fighter must temper his “warrior spirit” in the ring and become “more clinical”. Schaefer was speaking at the announcement of a long-term deal that will see BoxNation, the boxing-only channel on the Sky satellite platform, screen two live Golden Boy Promotions shows from America each month, starting with Mayweather's May 5 superfight against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. After the controversy in the aftermath of Khan last world title fight against Lamont Peterson goes into his rematch against the American, on May 19 in Las Vegas. “It is still a dangerous fight for Amir, who insisted on and fought for the rematch. He has the chance to prove that he has the skills to outbox the guy who took the IBF and WBA light-welterweight belts,” said Schaefer. The first fight saw Khan relieved of his WBA and IBF belts on a split points decision in controversial circumstances with referee Jo Cooper deducting him two points for ‘pushing’. Schaefer insisting it has become “a much bigger fight, with great things at stake”, referring to the 2013 matchup with Mayweather. Khan lost on a split points decision, after being deducted two points for ‘pushing’. Schaefer believes Khan would be better served by relying on skill over brawn. "I don't know how to say it more elegantly, but sometimes Amir's balls are too big for his own good," he said. "Look at Mayweather – he's a master tactician who knows how to use defensive and offensive skills and has been knocking people out recently. He knows what it takes to win and fights very smart. "Amir has the skills, speed and power, but what he needs to work on are the 'ring smarts' and not get carried away. He's still very young and he learnt a lot from the Peterson fight. We'll see if he applies that on May 19." If Khan dispatches Peterson and Mayweather disposes of Cotto, Schaefer believes the rivals could meet early next year. However, he would like to see Khan step up a division and have one fight at welterweight before locking horns with Mayweather. "There's never going to be a boring Amir Khan fight because he is incapable of producing that," Schaefer added. "He's an exciting guy to watch and that's why we all want to see him. "We would like him to have one fight at welterweight if he beats Peterson, and then there is the match with Mayweather. We have discussed it with the Mayweather camp, and they are interested.” Schaefer remains convinced, however, that Mayweather and rival pound-for-pound contender Manny Pacquiao will eventually clash in what could be the richest fight in boxing history, expected to gross $250 million US dollars. "It will happen but not this year, probably when Pacquiao is ready to retire and has run out of other options," Schaefer said. BoxNation's tie-in with GBP commences on April 21 with a double world-title show of Abner Mares vs Erik Morel for the vacant WBC world super-bantamweight title and the WBA world super-bantamweight title clash between Anselmo Moreno and David De La Mora. A week later Bernard Hopkins' rematch with Chad Dawson for the WBC world light-heavyweight title will be screened. The agreement excludes any Mayweather fights after May 5, although BoxNation owner Frank Warren confirmed they will bid for any contest in which the 35-year-old is involved. "If Mayweather fights Manny Pacquiao I can assure you we'll be in for it," Warren said.