Khan wants Pacquiao in December
Immediately after disposing of Colombian Samuel Vargas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), former junior welterweight champion Amir Khan reiterated his preference to fight Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao next probably in December this year or February 2019.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has also lined up the best in the 147-pound division—comebacking fellow Briton Kell Brook, Terence Crawford, Errol Spence, Keith Thurman as well as Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter.
But the 31-year-old fighter from Bolton, United Kingdom prefers Pacquiao, who holds the secondary WBA belt.
Manny Pacquiao (right) lands a shot on Jessie Vargas. AFP FILE PHOT
“I want to fight by the end of the year, 147 pounds is the division. I want Manny Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao is my No. 1 pick,” Khan declared. “Pacquiao is an amazing fighter.”
Former IBF welterweight champion Brook, 32, is scheduled to box again on September 22 in another warm-up fight for title. But Pacquiao is a more realistic opponent for Khan to aim for.
Pacquiao is a free promotional agent and Khan’s promoter Hearn is hoping to stage a clash in a London venue in December or February. Pacquiao, who has won world titles in eight divisions, stopped Lucas Matthysse in July and the Filipino has yet to announce plans for his next fight.
The Filipino eight-division champ had earlier stated negotiations were going on between his camp and Hearn but has yet to make an announcement about how far talks have gone.
“The next fight [after Vargas]has to be big,” Khan said. “Hopefully some big fight at the end of the year, Brook, Pacquiao or whoever,” the Olympic silver medalist added.
“Pacquiao is top priority. He has a belt, we’ve talked before and we know each other. I’ll be challenging for a world title in my opinion by the end of the year, or early next year,” he said.
“I work hard in training, I don’t cheat and I’m running every day now. At 31, I’m at the peak of my career,” Khan.
The Briton did a quick job in a 39-second win against Phil Lo Greco five months ago.
Former IBF welterweight champion Brook is on a comeback of his own after two knockout defeats and two broken eye sockets.
Both Khan and his English rival have insisted they still want the fight, but Brook’s last appearance was at super-welterweight.
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