Freddie Roach unleashes Amir Khan on Manny Pacquiao
For the second time in his career WBA junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan is sparring with boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao.
Freddie Roach, who trains both fighters, put Khan in the ring Wednesday with the Philippine congressman after enlisting his services two weeks ago.
Khan is in Baguio City preparing for his own December 11 bout against interim champion Marcos Maidana.
“I sparred with him [Pacquiao] after a defeat two years ago,” Khan told East Side Boxing. “I did really well with him then, but this time I’ve done even better and it just shows how much I’ve come on since I’ve been training with Manny.”
Khan spoke about how he fares against Pacquiao, considered the top pound for pound fighter in the world. “It’s a 50-50 spar. You know we’re both learning. Some days I have a good day, but some days Manny has a good day. It’s just great to work with somebody
like Manny because Manny is known as one of the best fighters in the world.”
Khan also said that while he considers Pacquiao a close friend, if boxing demanded it he would face "Pacman" in the ring because boxing is a “business so anything can happen.”
Khan comes as a welcome addition to Manny’s sparring routine, which just last weekend was blasted by Top Rank CEO Bob Arum as ‘so-so’ and rather subpar considering training camp midway point has already come again.
“When I watched Manny on Saturday, I didn’t see the kind of speed that he would need to beat Margarito,” Arum concluded. “If the fight happened on Saturday, Margarito would win.”
Arum had flown in to observe Pacquiao’s progress, and while an initial viewing stirred scepticism, a second sparring session Monday left him more optimistic about his top fighter’s chances.
Pacquiao himself diagnosed his progress as completely favourable. “I’m 100 per cent ready,” he said. “The public has nothing to worry about since I’m feeling very good.”
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