By Mark Vester

In a telling interview with Jeff Powell of Daily Mail, trainer Freddie Roach gave the opinion that Amir Khan is quickly getting to the point where he is capable of matching the skill and danger level of Manny Pacquiao.

Roach, who trains both fighters, made them spar in the past, but Pacquiao was always on another level when the two of them were matched in the gym. During the last two weeks in the Philippines, Roach had them sparring again, but this time Roach saw something different. This time Khan, for the first time, was getting the better of Pacquiao in sparring sessions.

"This is the first time Amir has got the better of Manny. It's always explosive when they spar. Lightning fast and bursting with pride. Like a cockfight. Manny is still ahead but he knows that Amir has come out on top at least once. Manny is still super quick and speed kills. But if anything Amir is just a tiny fraction faster now and his punching is getting more powerful by the day. Manny's punching is more dense but the gap between them is narrowing," Roach said.

Roach was so impressed with Khan's improving skills, that he already rates him above Floyd Mayweather Jr., in terms of being able to match Pacquiao in the ring. Once Pacquiao retires, Roach feels Khan will take over as the new king.

"Floyd Mayweather? No. Amir Khan is the only fighter out there who is close to catching Manny. I think Manny will give us two or three more fights. And that fits in with Amir reaching his peak in about 18 months," Roach said.