Manny Pacquiao Next Fight: Amir Khan Talks About Possible Bout, Previous Sparring Sessions With 'Pacman'
If there's one boxer who really knows Filipino pride Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's boxing style, it is former two-time world champion Amir Khan.
When "King Khan" was still training under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym, he was Pacquiao's sparring partner, and his experience could give him an advantage in their possible match next year.
"[We] used to have some good spars, 50-50 they used to be - [but] toward the end I got the better of Manny Pacquiao - as I got older and a little bigger," Khan told MMA Hour.
The Bolton, England native also said that his own boxing style has evolved, thanks to his trainer since 2012, Virgil Hunter.
"Manny Pacquiao is still the same fighter as he was - because he's always been with Freddie Roach," the World Boxing Council Silver welterweight titlist added.
But the British boxer acknowledged that he and Pacquiao have something in common - they both have "big hearts, hand speed and skills," which will make their proposed match even more exciting.
Recently, Khan announced that Top Rank CEO Bob Arum reached out to him to discuss a possible Pacquiao-Khan showdown in Dubai either in March or April, The National reported.
Since the British fighter feels that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is "running scared" of him by choosing Andre Berto on Sept. 12 instead of him, he wants to face the Philippine warrior next year.
Arum backed Khan's statement, and the promoter said that he is willing to arrange a fight with Khan and "Pacman" in the Middle East or Las Vegas since Pacquiao is well on his way to recovery from the shoulder injury, which he sustained while he was training for his May 2 fight with Mayweather, The Telegraph informed.
Hatton's say
For former world boxing champion and retired British boxer Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, the possible clash between Pacquiao and Khan will be a fight worth watching.
"It's a good fight Amir Khan v Manny Pacquiao - a chess match. I think they would both try and use their speed and movement to win it," Hatton told World Boxing News.
Hatton, who took a 2nd round knockout loss to Pacquiao in 2009, is still in awe of the former eight-time world champion.
"It's good that Amir wants to fight the best and I believe that Pacquiao is still one of the best," Hatton said.
Take a look at Khan (black shorts) and "Pacman" (red shorts) sparring in 2008 in this video posted on Youtube:
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