Manny Pacquiao Next Fight: 'Pacman' Could Face Amir Khan in the Middle East, Says Bob Arum
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao could face the World Boxing Council Silver welterweight titlist Amir Khan next year in the Middle East.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who promotes "Pacman," revealed that he could arrange a Pacquiao-Khan bout early next year either in the Middle East or in Las Vegas, The Telegraph reported exclusively.
"This kid Amir Khan keeps shooting his mouth off about Manny Pacquiao. I can arrange for Khan to fight Pacquiao," Arum said.
The promoter explained that he is not a difficult person "to deal with" unlike when Khan tried his way to have a shot with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Arum also knows for sure that his fighter will never duck Khan.
"[Pacquiao will] fight early next year and probably in the Middle East. Vegas is a possibility, but more likely in the Middle East. It won't be in Dubai but it will be in the Middle East. If not, we'll do it in Vegas," Arum said.
Arum added that there are two groups in the Middle East who are in touch with him to host a boxing event featuring Pacquiao. Although they would love to see "Pacman" with whoever deserves the fight, Arum expressed his interest on Khan and stated that he would be "happy to have lunch" with Khan's camp to talk about it.
A showdown between "Pacman" and "King Khan" may be an easier fight to plan as the eight division world champion and the British fighter were sparring partners before at the Wild Card Gym in California, under Freddie Roach, noted Boxing Scene. Three years ago, Khan left Roach's camp to be trained by Virgil Hunter.
Khan not yet over Mayweather snub
Khan was understandably disappointed when the unbeaten boxer chose Andre Berto as his opponent in his farewell fight on Sept. 12 at the MGM Grand. His snides against Mayweather continued when "The Money" stated why Khan was snubbed and it has something to do with his TKO loss against Danny Garcia.
"I think he's just being a little childish and he knows that Amir Khan will give him a tough fight and he's kind of avoiding it," Khan told Sky Sports.
"If he's not going to man up and fight me, then I'll have to fight Manny Pacquiao or someone like that. Someone who would fight me," the British boxer added.
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