Amir Khan refused to commit to a fight with Conor Benn after joining the young star in the ring after his latest KO victory.
Benn stopped Chris Van Heerden in the second round in Manchester when he sent the South African crashing to the canvas with a huge right hand. He has long targeted a domestic showdown with either Khan or with Kell Brook who has demanded £10million for the bout.
But Khan, who was stopped by Brook in February, appeared uncomfortable when the challenge was put to him. "I've just come here to enjoy the champ and to enjoy the boxing," he said. "Eddie [Hearn] told me to get in the ring but I'm just here to enjoy it. The champ put in a great performance and I'm sure he's going to have a great career. He'll go far in life and we'll support him."
Khan was on the verge of retiring after being stopped by Brook but has since suggested he could continue his career - and has not ruled out demanding a rematch with his Sheffield rival. And he added: "At the moment I'm enjoying spending time with the family. I might announce something tomorrow or I might announce something in a few months.
"I made a lot of money in the game. I think it's about enjoying the time off and if the hunger comes back we'll see where we go from there. He's a young hungry lion... who knows. Let's see what happens; I'm going to get back in the gym and this is huge motivation."
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Benn will likely instead look to America as he eyes a final step before he challenges for a welterweight world title. And he insisted there was no animosity between himself and his domestic rivals. "There's no disrespect; if I achieve half of what he achieved I'll be happy. Idols to rivals... every young up-and-coming fighter wants to challenge themselves against the best they were at the time."
But later Benn added: "He doesn't fancy it and neither does Kell. He wants to fight Junior (Chris Eubank Jr) at 154lb and I don't blame him."
Benn had been expected to dispose of the experienced South African after producing some impressive performances over the last 18 months. The 25-year-old welterweight duly delivered by taking out Van Heerden inside four minutes to extend his unblemished record to 21-0.
