According to former world champion Amir Khan, he ‘did not want to be there’ during his last year’s grudge match against Kell Brook.
Back in February of 2022, Brook battered and stopped Khan in a one-sided fight. Khan would later announce his retirement from the sport.
Khan has rejected the idea of returning to the ring, but he’s willing to entertain the idea of an exhibition clash with Manny Pacquiao.
“If I fight Manny Pacquiao I think it would be a brilliant fight. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to and trained with him so we know each other quite well,” Khan said to Daily Mail’s The Hook podcast.
“Time-wise it’s also good for us both. That’s one fight that would lift me up and I’d want to perform because he’s a legend. In the last fight with Brook it wasn’t the same. I knew I had made enough money, I could chill out – I didn’t even want to be there. People want to see me fight. People are entertained by watching me so I have to keep performing for them. I’ve then become a people’s fighter.
“It’s amazing honestly when you’re walking out and your name is being shouted out. You do get goosebumps. You are nervous as hell. Sometimes I think I should have picked another sport. Why am I doing this again? But you know you’re ready mentally… it’s just time to go to war and you switch on and your nerves are gone and you’re waiting for that bell to go.”
During their primes, Khan and Pacquiao were former training partners when they were both coached by Freddie Roach. Khan would eventually leave Roach’s stable and hire veteran trainer Virgil Hunter.
At one point, several years ago, a deal was reached for Pacquiao and Khan to collide in the Middle East, but the event fell apart when the investors failed to provide proof of funds.