Amir Khan hoping for Pacquiao clash
Amir Khan is looking beyond a fight with pound – for –pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a possible alternative bout with former stable mate and Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.
Bolton’s Khan, 28, has publically expressed his displeasure at being seemingly overlooked by Mayweather in recent times, with the American opting instead to face former WBC Welterweight champion Andre Berto in what is likely to be his swan song encounter.
Pacquiao may be the next best option, despite being dominated by Mayweather over 12 rounds last May and sustaining a shoulder injury in the process.
A Khan – Pacquiao fight is an intriguing proposition. The fighters are familiar with one another professionally, having both fought under the tutelage of Wild Card Gym proprietor Freddie Roach.
Such familiarity will breed curiosity within many fight fans, particularly as to whether can utilise his in – gym experiences as a guide to winning against Pacquiao; with the added objective of asserting his dominance in better fashion than Mayweather did on 30th May.
With the Pacquiao injury realistically hampering the chances of a bout taking place until next year, Khan still has a myriad of options available for a mooted November/December return to action.
Possible re-matches with Danny Garcia or Lamont Peterson respectively could materialise as options for Khan before the end of 2015. A fight with WBA Welterweight king Keith Thurman would also be a feasible option if vengeance over his former conquerors is not Khan’s paramount priority.
Speaking of his predicament, Khan appears disposed to waiting for an encounter with Manny Pacquiao; –
“Listen, the Amir Khan-Manny Pacquiao fight has been talked about and could happen early next year – that could be next. At the moment I am keeping my options open.”
