Former two-time World super lightweight champion Amir Khan has once again reiterated his desire to face former stablemate and friend Manny Pacquiao.
After capturing his eleventh World title this past weekend with a seventh round TKO of Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Pacquiao spoke of his willingness to face Khan in the post-fight press conference.
Khan has now responded by lavishing praise on the Filipino ring legend, who ripped the WBA ‘Regular’ World welterweight title away from Matthysse with his first stoppage win in over nine years.
“Manny looked good, he boxed well.” Khan toldES News.
“It was a great performance and he looked very sharp.”
“I think it’s a good time for me to fight him as we are both coming off good wins.” he continued.
While both Khan and Pacquiao have voiced their interest in a prospective bout between the pair, Khan has the second fight of his comeback to navigate first – squaring off against Canadian Samuel Vargas on September 8th in Birmingham.
However, should Khan come through the bout unscathed, the Bolton-man stated that a bout with Pacquiao could happen at the end of the year or in 2018.
“I have a fight coming up against Samuel Vargas on September 8th, but maybe at the end of the year or next year, it could be an amazing fight with Pacquiao.”
“I don’t know what his contractual deal is like with Bob Arum but Bob’s a friend of mine.” said Khan.
Though Khan has thrown his name into the hat to face-off against Pacquiao in a money-spinning contest, he still remains interested in the long-mooted domestic showdown with British rival Kell Brook.
Yorkshireman Brook, who was recently pulled from the Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker undercard due to injury, has long voiced his interest in a ‘Battle of the Roses’ with Lancashire’s Khan; but for the moment, Khan remains focused on Vargas.
“I just want to get this September fight out of the way first and see where I go from here. There are still big fights out there for me. I’ve got the Kell Brook fight also.” Khan finished.
The return to form from Pacquiao is a welcome one for boxing fans around the world.
Following his upset loss to Australia’s Jeff Horn in July 2017, many observers expected ‘Pac-Man’ to be at the end of his legendary career.
However, after a scintillating performance against an-admittedly-below-par Matthysse, the eight-division champion is once again back in the conversation for bouts with some of the sport’s biggest names.