As the negotiation continues for a Manny Pacquiao–Amir Khan fight to happen, the British slugger expressed his confidence in winning over the former eight-division champion once he faces him.
In a report by Daily Mail, Khan said he and Pacquiao have been friends for a long time since he was under the tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach before but sometimes friendship must be set aside.
"We've done plenty of rounds in the ring together, sparring. No-one's ever seen the sparring sessions, I haven't leaked any videos," Khan told Daily Mail.
The 28-year-old boxer then stated, "We had the same trainer so as a storyline, it will be a great fight. With what I've learned in the last few years, I can definitely fight Manny Pacquiao, and beat Manny Pacquiao."
Khan and Pacquiao only fought once this 2015. With the negotiations seeming to be having progress, the two would likely be seen returning to the ring early in 2016.
Pacquiao is recovering well from the shoulder surgery he had last May following the loss against rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum already said before that his fighter will return early next year.
Pacquiao had a successful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan last Monday, according to the reports, and will be ready to fight again in February or April.
Arum said Pacquiao will likely fight in the last week of February or during the first two weeks of April, with March not an option due to college hoops in the United States.
Early reports say the fight might happen in Dubai or in the Middle East but as the talks progressed, it seems like Las Vegas is the likely destination for the Pacquiao–Khan showdown.
Before locking in Khan, there were other top contenders being linked to fighting Pacquiao, including undefeated sluggers Kell Brook and Terence Crawford.
