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I could beat Manny Pacquiao -Khan
I could beat Manny -Khan
Mar 10, 2010
By Dylan Bowman
ABU DHABI - British boxer Amir Khan said on Wednesday he wants a future showdown with Manny Pacquiao and could beat the Filipino boxing sensation, rated by many as pound-for-pound the best boxer in the world.
“Boxing is a business and you have to fight the best out there. He (Pacquiao) is pound for pound the best fighter in the world and I think everyone wants to fight to best in the world,” said Khan, current WBA world light-welterweight champion.
“I think maybe in a few years time when I have the extra experience ... I think I’d have a shot at beating him. I wouldn’t want to fight someone if I didn’t think I could beat him,” he added, speaking on the sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi.
Khan is no stranger to Pacquiao as the pair are now both trained by American Freddie Roach and have sparred together in the past, with Roach describing the fighters as the perfect foil for each other.
“The first time I sparred with him (Pacquiao) was about two years ago and I did really well against him. Manny said I was the fastest guy he’s ever faced,” he said.
“But that was then. Since then I’ve come on so much. I like to spar with him (Manny) now just to see how much I’ve come on because I know I’ve come on by far and I’ve got even better.”
Khan (22-1, 16 KOs) said he may spar with Pacquiao in the run-up to his May fight against Paulie Malignaggi (27-5, 5 KOs) in New York City, Malignaggi’s hometown.
The fight is part of Khan’s efforts to raise his profile in the United States that has seen him spilt with British promoter Frank Warren and sign with Los Angeles-based Golden Boy.
“I’ve just started training ... I’m very confident,” he said of his preparations for the Malignaggi fight.
Khan won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics and was tipped by many as a potential future boxing star. He won his first 18 fights comfortably, but then got a reality check when he was knocked out by Colombian Breidis Prescott.
Khan said he is determined to set the record straight against Prescott despite opposition to a rematch from some in his camp.
“It’s one of those fights that I’d like have to shut a lot of critics up ... I think it is a fight in the future that people would be interested to see,” he said.
Khan’s challenge to Pacquiao comes just days before Pacquiao steps in the ring to face Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, a fight set up after a much-anticipated bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr fell through.
Pacquiao, WBO welterweight champion, was set to fight Mayweather this month, but disagreement over pre-fight blood testing procedures scuppered the bout.
Khan said the world needed to see Pacquiao and Mayweather go toe-to-toe, describing it as “the biggest fight of the decade”.
Mar 10, 2010
By Dylan Bowman
ABU DHABI - British boxer Amir Khan said on Wednesday he wants a future showdown with Manny Pacquiao and could beat the Filipino boxing sensation, rated by many as pound-for-pound the best boxer in the world.
“Boxing is a business and you have to fight the best out there. He (Pacquiao) is pound for pound the best fighter in the world and I think everyone wants to fight to best in the world,” said Khan, current WBA world light-welterweight champion.
“I think maybe in a few years time when I have the extra experience ... I think I’d have a shot at beating him. I wouldn’t want to fight someone if I didn’t think I could beat him,” he added, speaking on the sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi.
Khan is no stranger to Pacquiao as the pair are now both trained by American Freddie Roach and have sparred together in the past, with Roach describing the fighters as the perfect foil for each other.
“The first time I sparred with him (Pacquiao) was about two years ago and I did really well against him. Manny said I was the fastest guy he’s ever faced,” he said.
“But that was then. Since then I’ve come on so much. I like to spar with him (Manny) now just to see how much I’ve come on because I know I’ve come on by far and I’ve got even better.”
Khan (22-1, 16 KOs) said he may spar with Pacquiao in the run-up to his May fight against Paulie Malignaggi (27-5, 5 KOs) in New York City, Malignaggi’s hometown.
The fight is part of Khan’s efforts to raise his profile in the United States that has seen him spilt with British promoter Frank Warren and sign with Los Angeles-based Golden Boy.
“I’ve just started training ... I’m very confident,” he said of his preparations for the Malignaggi fight.
Khan won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics and was tipped by many as a potential future boxing star. He won his first 18 fights comfortably, but then got a reality check when he was knocked out by Colombian Breidis Prescott.
Khan said he is determined to set the record straight against Prescott despite opposition to a rematch from some in his camp.
“It’s one of those fights that I’d like have to shut a lot of critics up ... I think it is a fight in the future that people would be interested to see,” he said.
Khan’s challenge to Pacquiao comes just days before Pacquiao steps in the ring to face Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, a fight set up after a much-anticipated bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr fell through.
Pacquiao, WBO welterweight champion, was set to fight Mayweather this month, but disagreement over pre-fight blood testing procedures scuppered the bout.
Khan said the world needed to see Pacquiao and Mayweather go toe-to-toe, describing it as “the biggest fight of the decade”.
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