McCloskey could face Prescott
11 May 2011 – Jonny Stapleton
Paul McCloskey is on course for a September showdown with Breidis Prescott and could even fight the only man to defeat Amir Khan for the WBA light welterweight world title in Belfast.
Team McCloskey are in advanced talks with the Columbian re coming to Ireland in the Autumn. The Derry natives promoters are also trying to persuade the WBA governing body to make that clash a world title fight or at the very least an eliminator for the strap currently held by the Bolton native. Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn claims the fact Khans unification with Timothy Bradley has fallen through has re-open the WBA world title door for Dudey.
Hearn believes Khan will move up in weight and stressed the Dungiven man is due some form of compensation considering the manner in which he lost in Manchester last month. The promoter is pushing for that compensation to be in the form of a world title shot if the title is indeed vacated.
A rematch with Khan is unlikely.Team Khan must know a rematch in Belfast makes the most financial sense. Paul is in a good position regardless. He put himself in the lime light and proved he is a world level fighter, Hearn told Mirror Sport.
Khan said in the press conference that Paul should go and defeat every fighter he defeated before talking about a rematch, but we will do one better and beat the man that beat Khan, Prescott. We are in talks with his people and a fight between him and Paul in Belfast this September is a real possibility. We are waiting to here back from the WBA, but we hope if Khan moves up a weight or is made super champion that, that fight will be for a the world title. At the very least Paul should get an eliminator for the title, but the WBA have to make that happen.
If the WBA dont do the right thing McCloskey has other big time options. Hearn claims the Derry stylists performance against Khan and the furore surrounding his loss has done his career more good than harm.
Renowned names like IBF champion Zab Judah and WBA interim Marcus Maidana have replaced the likes of Giuseppe Lauri on the former European and British champions radar.
Pauls next fight will be a world title fight or a world title eliminator. Pauls profile has been increased massively. We were in contact with Zab Judah too and he is a possibility if Prescott cant be made. Maidana is also on the radar, but looks less likely. He has targeted a bout with Eric Morales. Basically Paul is in a good place. Things are not moving at electric frantic pace but big fights are around the corner.
