IF, as some fight pundits love to put it, Amir Can’t, the restive one-time world title-holder Khan at least really talk.
Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) has issued a frontal dare to Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs).
“He’s a great boxer. This could be one of the highlights of my career. I had the better of him in training. So let’s see what happens in the ring,” Khan told Edward Chaykovsky of BoxingScene.com.
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Both Khan and Pacquiao last fought in May.
Khan won over Chris Algieri, while Pacquiao lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Until last week, Khan was leading a short list of fighters being considered to clash with Pacquiao in what has been declared as the Filipino boxing supehero’s final bout.
Pacquiao is being fancied to clinch a Senate seat in the 2016 national elections.
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Yesterday, trainer Freddie Roach, who had earlier cautioned that WBO light welterweight champion Terence Crawford could prove too strong and hungry for Pacquiao, sang a new tune.
He told promoter Bob Arum there’s no issue about Pacquiao fighting the unbeaten Crawford (27-0, 19 KOs).
“Bob Arum asked me if I would be willing to let Pacquiao fight Crawford. I said yes, but the final decision is up to Manny,” Roach explained.
Roach added cryptically he would be very glad if Pacquiao ended up fighting the retired Mayweather next.
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For its part, the Crawford camp has declared readiness to take on Pacquiao anytime, anywhere.
After a done Pacquiao-Khan deal was reported, but promptly quashed by Arum, Pacquiao announced in Dubai he would love to leave the boxing scene with a bang.
“It’s very important to finish my career with a victory. That’s very important to me,” Pacquiao declared.
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So will it be Khan or Crawford in Pacquiao’s farewell outing?
Take it from Arum: Crawford could definitely provide a blazing, banging conclusion to Pacquiao’s career, win or lose.
Khan, of course, stands a chance of contributing the necessary farewell fireworks, but only if his weak wafer chin has undergone some dramatic rehab and repair.
Otherwise, the dream blazing farewell show could be no tastier than a simple snack of British biscuit for the eight-division world title winner from the Philippines.