Ex-super lightweight king Amir Khan wants a show-stopping clash with Manny Pacquiao and says the battle is closer to happening than ever.
The two-time World Champion put on a power-packed training session at his gym HQ in Bolton ahead of his departure for Saudi Arabia for his fight with rival Neeraj Goyat.
Khan makes boxing history when he takes on Goyat in the first ever Pakistani-India showdown in the boxing ring on Friday 12th July at the King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah.
In front of a gym packed with national media, Khan was put through his paces by new trainers Alex Ariza and Clarence “Bones” Adams. He went through a session that included shadow boxing, pads and skipping.
Afterwards, Khan spoke to the media and talked of a potential blockbuster with the legendary Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East. That’s provided he beats Goyat and Pacman beats Keith Thurman next month.
He also added he doesn’t care if domestic rival Kell Brook retired.
Khan said, “I’d love to do that fight. It’s one of the reasons I’ve taken the fight (with Goyat) as I know there’s a bigger picture.
“There’s always talk about Manny. There has been more talk about it lately. Let’s hope he wins against Thurman, I win against Goyat and we can move forward front there.”
On possibly retiring himself, Khan added: “I have this fight and then it could Manny, that would be a great way to finish.
“I’m not taking my eye off Goyat though, I know that I can’t be complacent. I need to beat him,” he concluded.
Speaking to WBN previously, Khan said he expects Pacquiao to come through Thurman with no problems.
This means a win over Goyat will almost confirm the fight.
“I think Manny Pacquiao v Keith Thurman is a good fight. For me, I just don’t feel Keith Thurman has got it in him anymore,” Khan exclusively told World Boxing News.
“I mean his last performance – I’m just trying to compare what Keith Thurman did against Josesito Lopez to what Manny Pacquiao did against Adrien Broner.
“What would Manny Pacquiao have done to Josesito Lopez?
“I just think Keith doesn’t have it in him. I’m not sure what lifestyle he lives outside of the ring or whether being out of the ring so long has affected him.
“It’s hard to say, but I just feel Manny would have too much for him.
“We all know Manny is exciting and very hard to beat. Look how Manny dealt with Adrien Broner. He out-boxed him and made it look so easy.
“I swear Manny looks like a young fighter still. He also still fights like a young fighter. I think Keith Thurman is in for a lot of problems when they fight.
POWER
“I just don’t think Keith’s power is going to make a big difference against Pacquiao. It won’t cause Manny any problems and it’s nothing he hasn’t seen before.
“Manny has the speed and Keith is very one-paced. I think that will suit Manny Pacquiao.”
Concluding with his prediction, ‘King’ Khan said: “For me, I believe Manny will beat Thurman quite easily. It will be an easy fight for Pacquiao because he’s got so much speed and skill.
“Keith might punch hard, but Manny can too and he’ll cause a lot of problems.”
