Floyd Mayweather confirms showdown with Marcos Maidana

Floyd Mayweather has confirmed he will face Marcos Maidana in a welterweight unification contest on May 3, ending Amir Khan’s hopes of being his next opponent.

Khan, 27, signed a contract in December that put him in line for a possible showdown with the WBC champion.

He admitted last week on Twitter that he did not think the fight would take place.

Promoters Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions have now confirmed that the American, 37, will face Argentinian WBA champion Maidana instead.

“After weeks of speculation, including feedback from fans across an array of social media platforms, boxing’s pound-for-pound superstar, pay-per-view king and WBC Welterweight World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather will face the dangerous, power-punching WBA Welterweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana on Saturday, May 3,” read the statement.

Mayweather (45-0) launched a social media campaign earlier this month asking fans to decide which of the two men he should take on in his next bout.

“Marcos Maidana’s last performance immediately brought him to my attention,” said Mayweather.

“He is an extremely skilled fighter who brings knockout danger to the ring. I think this is a great fight for me and he deserves the opportunity to see if he can do what 45 others have tried to do before him – beat me.”