British welterweight Amir Khan has overcome a gritty performance from Chris Algieri to win by unanimous decision in New York.
Khan was tested throughout by a game Algieri who never took a backwards step, but the Bolton fighter controlled the second half of the contest to win by scores of 115-113, 117-111 and 117-111.
With the possibility of a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr hanging over him, Khan needed to impress at the Brooklyn Center, but it was Algieri who had the better of the opening exchanges as he connected frequently with his right hand.
Khan improved as the bout progressed, but even though his trademark combinations were scoring shots, they weren't hurting his opponent who was proving dangerous on the counter.
However, Khan landed some big shots in the later rounds, especially nine and 10, and that appeared to slow Algieri heading into the final six minutes.
The home-town fighter continued to plough forward as he looked for a stoppage, but Khan proved too elusive to see out a closely-fought encounter and potentially leave himself in line to meet Mayweather in September.
Darren Plant
