BoxRec

Amir Khan happy with 'numbers and location' for Manny Pacquiao showdown

Amir Khan has confirmed that he is in talks for a showdown with Manny Pacquiao but insists it will not take place on the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury undercard on December 11.

Khan, 39, has not fought since losing to Kell Brook in February 2022. Three months later, the Englishman announced his retirement from the sport.

It later emerged that Khan, 34-6 (21 KOs), had tested positive for the banned substance ostarine immediately after his final bout. Though he protested his innocence, he was handed a two-year ban that expired in April 2024.

During his peak, when Khan won world titles at junior welterweight and became a leading contender at welterweight, he was frequently linked to bouts with Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

Though he has always insisted he is happy in retirement, Khan has also admitted that an offer to fight either Pacquiao or Mayweather could entice him back.

It appears that moment has arrived.

“There are talks [about fighting Pacquiao],” Khan told the Metro. “There’s a lot of interest.

“I've seen some numbers which I’m happy with and I’ve seen a location which I’m happy with.

“Manny has come back to the same team that I’m dealing with and said he would want something as well. Manny is happy.

“I don’t want to say no to it because I’ve always wanted that fight.”

Pacquiao, 47, ended a four-year hiatus in July 2025 when he held then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a draw over 12 rounds.

The veteran, 62-8-3 (39 KOs), had been linked to a rematch with Mayweather until talks collapsed amid reports of Floyd’s financial difficulties. The Filipino remains keen to fight again and had also been linked to a spot on the Joshua-Fury undercard.

“That’s a rumor,” Khan said.

“Even if it was for that fight night, I wouldn’t be ready for it and I don’t think Manny would be either.

“We’ve both been travelling and we’re obviously not back in camp.

“It’s only about nine weeks away. I don’t know where that came from.”

Khan last defeated a leading opponent in 2015 when he outpointed Chris Algieri. Pacquiao’s most recent victory came in 2019 when he outpointed Keith Thurman.

Amir Khan believes showdown with Manny Pacquiao would be 'bigger' than Fury-Joshua

Amir Khan believes a fight with Manny Pacquiao would have greater international appeal than the upcoming heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

Joshua and Fury are finally set to meet on December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, and there had been speculation that Pacquiao could feature on the undercard.

Khan has dismissed that possibility but confirmed that he has already seen contractual proposals regarding a potential fight with the Filipino veteran.

“It’s clearly rubbish,” Khan told Boyle Sports about the prospect of facing Pacquiao in Wales.

“But there is interest elsewhere, with other people and other promotional companies, in making the fight happen. I’d love to take that fight. I would say yes to it. It’s not something I would say no to. But not on the AJ-Fury undercard. I don’t expect Manny to be on the AJ undercard at all.

“You don’t want to steal the show,” the 39-year-old continued.

“Nationally, AJ-Fury is a massive fight, but internationally, Amir Khan-Pacquiao is a massive fight, a bigger fight. But I think it’s their night. I wouldn’t even want to fight on the same show because it’s their night and their big fight. They deserve it more than anyone. AJ-Fury, what a fight it is. It’s a fight we’ve all been waiting for. Let them have that time. That’s their time.”

Khan, 34-6 (21 KOs), has not fought since losing to Kell Brook in February 2022. He retired three months later, only for it to emerge that he had tested positive for a banned substance following his sixth-round stoppage defeat. His subsequent suspension expired in 2024.

Even before the loss to Brook, it was clear that the former junior welterweight champion's best days were behind him.

Pacquiao, 47, is also well past his peak, though he returned in July 2025 to hold then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a draw over 12 rounds.

“I have been approached. I’ve had contracts. I’ve had lawyers involved and there are talks of Pacquiao and myself,” Khan said.

“Let’s see where it goes. If it happens, it happens. It would be big and very interesting. Location-wise, there are a few places they’re looking at as well, America and the Middle East. If it did come, I wouldn’t say no to it.

“I think it’s a perfect fight. Manny is not a young spring chicken like he was before. I’m not either, so I think it makes a decent fight. If it comes, it comes. But there definitely have been talks. My dad called me not long ago and asked whether I would be interested. He sent me some agreements and the name on there was Manny Pacquiao.

“If me and Manny Pacquiao fought, my fights have always been offensive. I’m an offensive fighter, not a careful fighter. Manny Pacquiao is a similar fighter to me, where he’s all guns blazing, comes forward, throws a lot of punches, high work rate, power, speed, you name it. Arguably, two of the fastest fighters in the world.”