By Edward Chaykovsky
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum is very interested in getting Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38KOs) in the ring with his former sparring partner, Amir Khan (31-3, 19KOs).
The two fighters sat down in London earlier this year to discuss a possible fight. It never happened as Pacquiao reached an agreement to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the richest fight in boxing history on May 2nd. Mayweather won a twelve round unanimous decision.
Khan was hoping to get his crack at Mayweather on September 12. That didn't happen. Mayweather selected Khan's gym stablemate, Andre Berto.
Khan feels his youth, speed and boxing ability will be too much for Pacquiao. Arum agrees Pacquiao is getting up there in age, but hits too hard for Khan's chin.
"It's a good fight. Manny beats him, though, in my opinion. Manny is getting up in age, so you never know what's going to happen. But I think he hits too hard for Khan," Arum told The Telegraph. "Manny is promising to come [to the United States] at the end of August. There's no question he'll fight again."
Khan and Pacquiao were once training side by side with coach Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Khan left Roach in 2012 and hired Virgil Hunter.
Roach claims Pacquiao not only beat up Khan in sparring, he also knocked out the British fighter.
Khan disputes Roach's version of what took place.
"I’m not going to say anything about the sparring sessions because Freddie was there, but I can honestly say I never got beaten up. All I can say is that I was told not to ever spar with him again after a few sessions. I like Freddie, he’s a good trainer, but he sometimes says things that he shouldn’t say," Khan said.