Amir Khan(30-3, 19KO’s) has stated through Skysports.com his desire to face Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38KO’s) later this year, whether the Filipino is successful on May 2nd against Floyd Mayweather Jr(47-0, 26KO’s) or not.
Khan has his own fight to get through on May 29th against Chris Algieri(20-1, 8KO’s) but provided he does so in good fashion, would love to take Pacquiao on in an as yet untapped market for top-level boxing.
“I want this fight. I would love to box Manny. We’ve been looking at an event in Dubai, and Abu Dhabi is only a short drive away. It’s a dream of mine to fight in that part of the world.”
Khan, like so many others, is banking on Mayweather winning the most anticipated fight in recent history as he feels the undefeated American has the skill-set to offset his former gym-mate’s ferociousness.
“I actually think that once Mayweather gets through Manny’s assault in the first few rounds it will become an easy win for him. Manny has speed and power, but Floyd has the defensive skill to avoid him and the brain and accuracy to keep picking him off as he comes in. The longer it goes, the harder it will get for Manny and if he is to win he will have to keep up the pace through every minute of every round.”
If anything, a Pacquiao loss could bring him closer to Khan for a handsomely rewarding trip to the richest part of the globe. Khan seems to be ruing the time he has already wasted chasing a fight with Mayweather and wants to face one of the biggest names around before it is no longer a viable match-up.
“I’ve wasted the best part of a couple of years waiting for Floyd because I would love to be the man who beat the man considered the best pound-for-pound in the world. Now I have to make the most of every day because soon it may be too late. Floyd and Manny are getting closer to retirement, and if I don’t fight one of them soon it may never happen.”
Pacquiao would likely be the more dangerous option out of himself and Mayweather for Khan. He knows Khan more intimately from their days sparring together at the Wild Card Gym and would perhaps be emboldened to launch more heavy attacks than usual given Khan’s past susceptibility to a clean shot on the jaw. Both would be a big name on the ledger and a huge payday though, and as he ever Khan is game for either of them.
