Manny Pacquiao has seemingly chosen his next opponent, with the Filipino’s promoter Bob Arum suggesting Amir Khan is being lined up for a 2016 fight in the Middle East.
Britain’s Khan recently missed out on meeting the undefeated Floyd Mayweather after the American revealed Andre Berto as his next opponent, a decision Arum has labelled “a farce.”
However, a bout with eight-division world champion Pacquiao could provide Khan with some consolation given the 36-year-old’s immense pedigree and profile.
Pacquiao was beaten by Mayweather back in May, and Arum is eyeing Khan as the opponent for his comeback fight, although it will not take place until next year, per Gareth A Davies in the Telegraph:
Arum is not the only one disappointed by Mayweather’s choice of Berto for his next opponent as he looks to equal Rocky Marciano’s undefeated 49-0 record.
ESPN’s Dan Rafael summed up the prevailing attitude toward the fight when it was announced recently:
However, a potential clash between 28-year-old Khan and Pacquiao is a much more exciting prospect.
A 2016 clash would allow Pacquiao time to fully recover from the surgery he had on a shoulder injury he claimed hampered him in his defeat to Mayweather in Las Vegas.
There is set to be little excitement over Mayweather’s clash with Berto, but perhaps boxing fans will have something else to get pumped up about if Pacquiao and Khan can work out a deal.