Khan can't reach deal with Peterson, looking elsewhere

Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson have been unable to come to financial terms on a fight April 16 in the UK and Khan is looking elsewhere, Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions said.

Khan, who holds one of the junior welterweight belts, is now considering fellow UK fighters Paul McCloskey and John Murray as well as Argentine Lucas Matthysse.

The former Olympic silver medalist reportedly told a British radio station that McCloskey, from Northern Ireland, is the leading candidate.

McCloskey or Murray would make for a big event in the UK. McCloskey is undefeated (22-0, 12 knockouts) and THE RING’s No. 10-rated 140-pounder. Murray also has a perfect record (30-0, 18 KOs) and is the No. 6-rated lightweight, meaning he’d have to move up in weight.

A big plus for Murray is the fact he's from Manchester, the site of the fight.

Matthysse (27-1, 25 KOs) is scheduled to fight DeMarcus Corley on Jan. 21 in Argentina. Obviously, he’d have to win to be considered a viable opponent for Khan. Matthysse is coming off a controversial split-decision loss to Zab Judah on Nov. 6.

Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) is coming of a dramatic victory over Marcos Maidana on Dec. 11, in which he survived a harrowing 10th round after taking a big right hand to win a unanimous decision.