Amir Khan holding 'private talks' with Manny Pacquiao over huge fight despite rival being urged to 'retire' after exhibition disaster

09/13/2024 11:49 AM

Amir Khan has been contacting Manny Pacquiao privately to arrange a surprise mega-fight.

Khan hasn’t been in action since losing in his final professional fight against bitter rival Kell Brook where he was stopped in brutal fashion in 2022.

Meanwhile Pacquiao has returned in exhibition fights since retiring, and has even contemplated a full comeback holding talks with Mario Barrios over a world title fight.

The pair never met in their heyday despite being at a similar level and weight, and Khan is now contacting his rival with a fight plan insisting it isn’t too late.

“Manny looked s*** in his last fight, really bad. Manny won't want to fight me, and I like him,” Khan told Action Network.

“We speak on WhatsApp. They're looking for a big pay cheque from Saudi, Qatar or Dubai, but it's going to be hard because obviously Saudi and Turki Alalshikh will never do an exhibition fight.

“If it happens and I'm ever going to consider doing an exhibition, then it will have to be in the next 12 months otherwise I am done from the sport.

“I'm 90 per cent done from the sport anyways, I don't have the love for boxing anymore.

“To motivate myself it would only have to be Manny or Floyd Mayweather.”

Khan has always campaigned for a fight with ‘Pac Man’, but never received it during his prime, despite taking on the likes of Floyd Mayweather Junior and Canelo Alvarez.

Pacquiao appeared to have hung up his gloves after a legendary career, having been beaten by Yordenis Ugas in 2022, but he has been competing in exhibitions.

But his most recent outing against Japanese star Rukiya Anpo ended in disaster, as he seriously struggled against the taller fighter who would have perhaps beaten him if the clash was scored.

Naturally it lead to calls for the multi-weight champion to return to inactivity, but he still appears open to offers.

Khan himself has also been open to opportunities despite stepping away, which include a showdown with YouTube star KSI.

The pair held talks but an agreement could not be reached, and it appears the former world champion has now made a U-turn on his stance.

He continued: “I don't think I will [return] unless a Floyd Mayweather fight was there.

“The only two fighters I would make a comeback for is Floyd or Manny Pacquiao. Other than that, no I'm not interested at all. I won’t fight KSI.

“The thing is I've done it at the highest level and don't have the fire in my belly anymore.

“God has been kind, I'm financially strong, going into other things like property and am living half of my time in Dubai and the UK as well as going the States a lot. I'm keeping busy with lots of things.”