Manny Pacquiao has confirmed that he is working on a fight with Amir Khan which could take place next year.
Khan told Mail Sport this week that he is in talks with Pacquiao in an epic showdown that could take place in Saudi Arabia.
The former light-welterweight world champion last turned out in a losing effort against long-term rival Kell Brook last February, while Pacquiao has been out of the ring since an August 2021 defeat to Yordenis Ugas.
Boxing legend Pacquiao is currently out in Saudi Arabia ahead of Tyson Fury’s Battle of the Baddest clash with MMA star Francis Ngannou on Saturday night.
At a gala on Friday night ahead of tomorrow’s clash, Pacquiao confirmed to Mail Sport that talks are underway over a bout with with Khan.
Manny Pacquiao has confirmed he is working on a potential fight with Amir Khan for next year
Khan (right) previously revealed to Mail Sport that the pair could could out of retirement to face each other
Pacquiao has been out of the ring since a shock August 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugas
Pacquiao, who turned to politics towards the end of his boxing career, confirmed he is considering stepping out of retirement, as he said: ‘We are working on it at the moment.
‘We are expecting the fight to take place next year. The fight will be at 147’.’
Pacquiao also told journalists at the gala in Saudi Arabia that he is ‘trying’ to be involved at next summer’s Olympics in Paris – where he would look to win the Philippines’ first-ever boxing gold medal aged 45.
Khan was handed a two-year ban from all sports back in April for failing a drugs test after his fight with Brook two years ago.
As he hasn’t fought since his fight with Brook, that ban was backdated to the date of his provisional suspension – meaning it will expire in April 2024 and that any fight with Pacquiao would have to wait until after then.
In total the Filipino former fighter has won 12 major titles in eight different weight divisions and holds one of many distinctions as the only boxer to win the lineal championship in five weight classes.
The 44-year-old famously enjoyed high-profile welterweight clashes with the likes of Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto before a long overdue match-up with Floyd Mayweather in 2015.