Manny Pacquiao Next Fight: Amir Khan Withdraws From Talks, But Won't Close Door for 'Pacman'
British boxer Amir Khan withdraws from talks of the proposed fight against the Filipino legendary fighter Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, although he is still not closing his doors for a possible bout.
The 28-year-old fighter told The National that he was "disappointed" that Pacquiao's camp was "stalling" in signing the contract for the showdown next year.
"I have pulled out of the negotiations. I am no longer fighting Manny Pacquiao," the U.K.-born boxer said.
"King Khan," who once longed for a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. but was kept aside in favor of former title holder Andre Berto, seemed to have learned his lesson from the incident.
"I am not going to wait around for Manny like I did for Mayweather. I need to fight and if they don't want to fight then that's fine, I have other targets," the World Boxing Council Silver welterweight titlist said.
Included in his "targets" is to have a rematch with former World Boxing Association champion Danny Garcia, who defeated him via a fourth round knockout in 2012 in Las Vegas, per BoxRec.
"King Khan" simply wants to avenge his loss to the Pennsylvania-born boxer because this is something like an "unfinished business" that he needs to settle, Yahoo! Sports notes.
Aside from settling the score with his Garcia, Khan would also like to redeem himself against Lamont Peterson, who reportedly won over him via a unanimous decision in 2011. "King Khan" is also looking into a fight against the current World Boxing Organization welterweight champ Timothy Bradley and a showdown with fellow British warrior, International Boxing Federation welterweight king Kell Brook, if the "Pacman" bout will not push through.
Pacquiao's thinking it through
Khan, who is a former sparring partner of the eight-division world champion, feels Team Pacquiao is having second thoughts about a Pacquiao-Khan bout simply because they know he could beat him. Another reason could be "Pacman" wanting another shot against Mayweather, who beat him on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas via a unanimous decision.
However, the 36-year-old boxer may just really be thinking it well whom to fight for his comeback after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained while training for his clash against "The Money." It is just a critical decision since after that fight, he will focus on getting a senate seat in the Philippines' May elections, noted Los Angeles Times.
Bob Arum of Top Rank, who promotes "Pacman," told the Times that his fight next year will probably his final bout as he is setting his priorities in government service.
Arum also denied what Khan is saying about stalling and not signing a contract, as there was "no contract" to begin with.
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