In recent weeks it seemed like a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan is very close to being booked in 2016, but now the British slugger told The National that he backed out of the negotiations.
"I'm really disappointed in Manny and his team. They aren't playing ball. All that was left to do is to sign the contract. But they are stalling. I have pulled out of the negotiations. I am no longer fighting Manny Pacquiao," Khan told The National.
Khan added that he will not be playing the waiting game again like he did with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and has other "targets."
The 28-year-old boxer thinks one of the reasons why Pacquiao's side is not signing the contract is because of a possible rematch with Mayweather, who already retired after beating Andre Berto last month to go 49–0.
Recent reports say that the former eight-division champion is trying to negotiate for a rematch with the number one pound-for-pound along with his talks with Khan.
Khan believes another reason is that Pacquio and his camp could be avoiding a matchup with him, also telling The National, "They know I am a tricky fight for him and they know I will beat him. Or else, why pull out of a fight when there is a lot of money on the table?"
But BBC Sport reported that Khan tweeted the fight may happen if Pacquiao signs the contract.
Pacquiao is planning to leave the sport after one more fight, which will be in 2016, to pursue his aspirations of serving the Philippines as a senator.
The 36-year-old boxing star is currently having a great recovery from a shoulder surgery, which he had following his fight with Mayweather last May, and is aiming to return to training by November or December.
Pacquiao also did not hide his desire for a rematch with Mayweather, saying, according to ESPN, "If you ask me, of course, I want a rematch. I heard that he retired already. If he really retired, then there's no rematch. But if not ..."
