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Op-Ed: Manny Pacquiao-Amir Khan fight in England looms

This scenario came about when Prince Harry invited Pacquiao for a dinner date in England this month.

Pacquiao told GMA News Thursday that he is flying to London to honor Prince Harry’s invitation on January 22 without giving details of his visit.

With the announcement of the London trip, speculations are high that Pacquaio may be entertaining the idea of fighting in England if the ongoing Mayweather fight negotiations falls through.

Pacquiao’s longtime adviser Michael Koncz confirmed to Manila Standard/Viva Sports that Pacquiao is indeed scheduled to fly to London but declined to speculate on the purpose of the visit.

“I am not sure what we will talk about but I certainly will question them about holding a boxing event there and what concessions we can get,” Koncz said.

Koncz did not say who will be Pacquiao’s opponent if Prince Harry invites him to fight in London.

Obviously, Pacquiao will be fighting Amir Khan, who has been seeking a lucrative fight with the eight-division world champion.

Khan has traveled to the Philippines in the past to train for one of his major fights. At that time Khan was training under Freddie Roach, the long time trainer of Pacquiao.

For a while Khan sparred with Pacquiao in the Philippines and there were reports that Pacquiao knocked him down at least four times during one of their sparring sessions which the Bolton star denied.

“Who cares about Amir Khan. Pacquiao knocked him out in the Gym. It’s no big fight. He had Amir down at least four times,” said Freddie Roach, Khan’s ex-trainer.

British boxing star Amir Khan

British boxing star Amir Khan
wikipedia

Khan is very popular in England and a fight against Floyd Mayweather or Pacquaio could easily fill the huge Wembley Stadium to its capacity.

The British ex-Olympian has been trying hard to lure Mayweather to fight him in England but the unbeaten champ said Khan isn’t on his level yet besides being unpopular in the U.S. and does not deserve a shot at this time.

“The other night I think he did 4,000 [attendance], so, Amir Khan, his name holds no weight,” Mayweather said at the World Boxing Council convention. “No one knows who Amir Khan is, except for people who are involved in boxing.”

After rejecting Khan, Mayweather said he is now focusing on the Pacquiao fight following his earlier announcement that he wants to fight the Filipino star on May 2.

If the Pacquiao fight does not materialize despite his pronouncement, Khan will now have a better chance of getting Pacquiao in the ring with him in England where the eight-division champ is also very popular.

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum is yet to comment on Pacquiao’s trip to London on invitation of Prince Harry.

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