Manny Pacquiao vs his former sparring partner Amir Khan on 2016?

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Manny Pacquiao vs his former sparring partner Amir Khan on 2016?

Cruiserweight contender and fight analyst BJ Flores thinks that a bout between Manny Pacquiao and his former training partner Amir Khan would make a compelling fight.

The fact that they have sparred with each other in the past should play a major factor, as they are already familiar with each other’s styles, Flores told On The Ropes Boxing.

“I’d love to see him (Pacquiao) fight Amir Khan, why not? Amir wanted a big fight and I think him and Manny would make for a great fight,” said Flores.

He added that being former sparring partners also adds up to the story line, which will be useful in the promotion side of things.

He said boxing coach Freddie Roach is expected to do some trash-talking against former pupil Khan.

“They were in the same camp before and now Freddie would have plenty to say about Amir and I think it would be a nice build up,” said Flores.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum said it is possible to arrange a bout between Pacquiao and Khan. The fight, he said, can take place either in the Middle East or in Las Vegas.

Arum also predicted the possible outcome of the clash.

“It's a good fight. Manny beats him, though, in my opinion,” said the Top Rank Inc. executive.

Khan, for his part, said he’ll gladly face his former training partner if it’s "financially sensible" for both of them.

"Yes, I think the fight can happen," Khan, a former two-time world champion. "If it makes sense financially for both of us, then I think the fight will definitely take place.”

However, things will have to wait as Pacquiao is still recuperating from his injured shoulder.

The fight may take place sometime in the early part of 2016.

Khan wants to do a Floyd vs Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao has yet to fully recover from his injury, but Amir Khan is already planning on how to beat him.

One of the possible strategies he can use, he said, is the same fight plan Floyd Mayweather Jr. implemented against Pacquiao.

“To win a fight against someone like Pacquiao the key is speed, movement and distance and that's how Mayweather beat him,” said the British fighter in Boxing Scene.

“Floyd beat him by being sneaky and he made it look easy. If you stick to the same game plan that Mayweather used, then it's an all-day win for me.”

The problem is the fight could turn out to be a boring one just like the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

The undefeated American refused to engage the Filipino superstar and this allowed him to take a unanimous decision win.

The drawback, however, is the bout failed to live up to the expectations of fight fans.