Amir Khan expects to fight Manny Pacquiao, in a battle of prominent former world champions, with the bout coming as soon as February and likely in Las Vegas, the British-Pakistani fighter says.
“I can confirm that my team has been negotiating with Bob Arum; so far everything is going smooth,” Khan told The National. “The contracts are being negotiated and, if everything is agreed, Manny Pacquiao will be my next opponent.”
Pacquiao, one of the sport's most popular fighters, has not been in the ring since losing a decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr in a welterweight championship bout in May. Pacquiao said he injured his right shoulder during training and suffered a torn rotator cuff in the fourth round.
He had surgery and, via Instagram, on Monday declared his recovery complete, although it is believed the results of his MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) procedure will be sent to a doctor in Los Angeles for further examination.
“I have been told that Manny ... has been given the ‘all clear’ to start training again by his doctor, which is great news,” Khan said. “Depending on when he and his team feels he could be ready, the fight could be in February or April 2016.
“If, in the next couple of weeks, we get closer to confirming the fight, I will not be fighting again this year. This is a huge fight and I most definitely won’t be able to fight twice in the space of four months.”
Khan took another swipe at Mayweather for “ducking” him and said he would not be waiting for the unbeaten American to call.
“I know Manny. He is my friend. We’ve trained and sparred together. He has never ducked or dodged any fighter and I am sure he won’t get scared like Floyd Mayweather and back out,” Khan said.
He said a back-up plan is being developed for a fight later this year if Pacquiao does not agree to a meeting.
Khan, 28, has a record of 31-3 and is unbeaten in his past five fights, making positive strides by beating Luis Collazo, Devon Alexander and Chris Algieri emphatically in his previous three outings. With Pacquiao showing signs of wear and tear at the age of 36, a Khan victory over the Filipino would not be much of a surprise.
Khan made clear he wants his next fight to be Pacquiao.
“This is the biggest fight out there for me and I will be ready,” he said. “We have not gone into the specifics yet but it is a pay-per-view fight, it’s going to be global. It could be either on HBO or any other network, as I am a free agent.”
Khan’s trainer, Virgil Hunter, recently made some strong comments about the fighter, advising him to change his lifestyle and reduce his traveling, suggesting it is taking a toll on him.
He also said if Khan puts in the time he has the talent to be one of the greatest fighters in boxing.
“I agree 100 per cent with Virgil,” the fighter told The National. “I have a lot of respect for him. That’s why I chose him as my trainer. But I do not completely switch off between fights, I do train, which he knows”
Khan had been interested in having a Pacquiao fight in the UAE, but insufficient interest by local authorities appears to have made it a near-certainty to be held in Las Vegas.
A Pacquiao-Khan fight would seem to offer the Filipino a chance to show he remains relevant in the sport but also offers Khan an opportunity to take his reputation to a higher level.
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