Now happily retired, Amir Khan has looked back on one of the best spars he ever had.
Khan is one of Britain’s most celebrated fighters. From the moment he won silver aged just 17 at the 2004 Olympics he was on a trajectory to the top.
He went on to have 40 bouts between 2005 and 2022, winning 34 and taking six losses but always against top-level opponents, including in his last fight against long-time rival Kell Brook.
He held unified light-welterweight world championships between 2009 and 2012, including the WBA and IBF titles and fought the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Paulie Malignaggi, Danny Garcia, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Breidis Prescott.
Following his fight with Brook, he failed a doping test and was given a two-year ban from all sports that is due to end in April 2024 but despite that he has continued to speak of his desire to face Manny Pacquiao.
Speaking to FightHub, Khan has revealed he once sparred the now two-weight world champion Devin Haney.
“Back in 2018, when I was training for the fight against Terence Crawford, he was one of my sparring partners. I said a long time ago that he is one of the best fighters I’ve sparred, amazing fighter, good skills, movement, power as well, so yeah, really showing his class.”
It’s not just the gym the 25-year-old is impressing in. So far undefeated, he became undisputed at lightweight with a win over George Kambosos Jr in Australia.
Haney defended his belts in a rematch back down under before outpointing Ukrainian great Vasily Lomachenko in his next outing. He then moved up to super-lightweight, vacating the belts but immediately picking up another in the form of Regis Prograis’ WBC 140lbs title.
It was a fantastic performance and puts Haney in the mix as one half of some of the most exciting match-ups that can be made in the sport. Khan then referenced the fact that Haney and Ryan Garcia are in negotiations for a fight and saw only one winner.
“I think he’ll beat Garcia. Definitely, Haney will take that fight.”
Whoever wins, it will be an intriguing fight for the early part of 2024 if it can get over the line.