Pacquiao-Khan a possibility in February or March 2016

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Manny Pacquiao - Amir KhanAfter being snubbed for the third time by Floyd Mayweather, WBC Silver welterweight champion Amir Khan could be handed the fight that could launch himself into the leading position in the Mayweather sweepstakes, but that ultimately depends if Khan wins the fight and if Mayweather chooses to extend his career.

Mayweather has stated that his 49th fight against Andre Berto – slated for Sept. 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas – would be the final fight of his career. However, some doubt that the defensive slickster will hang them up for good.

Top Rank founder and CEO Bob Arum told World Boxing Scene that he would offer a Khan fight to Manny Pacquiao, who is looking to make his comeback fight at some point next spring.

“This takes time, and I will present everything to Manny, and we’ll see what happens,” Arum said.

Pacquiao underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff five days after his unanimous decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May.

A recovery that was estimated to take within nine months to a year, Pacquiao came out late last week claiming that his shoulder has been healed in three months thanks to God and swimming in the sea.

In June, Khan didn’t show much interest in a Pacquiao fight – probably due to the Filipino’s inactivity – but still talked up a Mayweather match.

“If Manny mans up and wants to take the fight, then it will happen, but the only fight I am interested in right now is Floyd Mayweather.”

Khan’s tune when speaking with James Whaling of the Daily Mirror, claiming that he’d “love to take that fight.”

While Pacquiao has clearly seen better days, the former eight-division world champion is still seen as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in boxing, and there are some intriguing components to both fighters that would make the fight a memorable one.

Khan and Pacquiao used to spar one another and shared the same trainer in Freddie Roach. In a clip found on YouTube, Khan was helping Pacquiao prepare for Oscar De La Hoya in 2008.

Khan landed more shots, but Pacquiao’s shots were more precise, and landed with authority.

However, this was close to seven years ago, and both fighters don’t have near the same explosiveness they had then. Khan didn’t look as explosive against Chris Algieri, but a part of that was due to Algieri’s head movement and counter right hands.

Since their sparring session, Khan has fought 14 times while Pacquiao has fought 12 times, and both have been in some pretty hellacious battles, and have taken some hellacious falls, too.

If this fight happens – who is going to come home the winner?