Ricky Hatton believes that Amir Khan's last fight against Chris Algieri can help him in his bid to face Floyd Mayweather.
Khan won comfortably on points against Algieri but the former Olympic silver medallist found himself under pressure throughout the fight.
Khan, 28, has been wanting to fight Mayweather for years but is continuously overlooked by the undefeated five-division world champion.
"I think Amir stands a good chance of getting Floyd now," Hatton told ESPN. "I don't think Amir would have scared Mayweather with his last performance, and that might help him get the fight.
"Amir was always on the move against Devon Alexander and Luis Collazo and that might have put Floyd off fighting Amir.
"Styles make fights and Floyd loves fighting big punchers because he can sit back on the ropes, roll his shoulder and slip the punches and do what he does so well. But someone who might trouble him is someone who can match him for speed,someone like Amir."
Khan has been offered the chance to fight undefeated IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, but Hatton believes that he should bide his time.
"Amir has to go for Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao next and Mayweather is the best in the world," Hatton said. "If those fights don't come off then the best pay day would be Kell Brook at a football stadium.
"There's no reason why Khan-Brook could not be as big as Benn-Eubank or Froch-Groves. You could have a trilogy and a great rivalry. If you can get 80,000 for Froch-Groves you could get the same for those two at welterweight. It's a great domestic rivalry that can raise their popularity."
Hatton faced Mayweather in 2007 in Las Vegas but the Mancunian was stopped in the 10th round.
Calum Gillon
