Former World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Championship (WBC) light-welterweight and welterweight champion Amir Khan recently made headlines with his confirmation that he is considering a return to the ring. Khan, who retired from boxing in 2022, is now back in training and eager to take on some of the sport’s biggest names. But the 36-year-old boxer is only interested in facing two legendary opponents: Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather.
🗣️ Amir Khan would only comeback to boxing to fight Mayweather or Pacquiao:
— IFN (@IfnBoxing) September 13, 2024
“The only 2 fighters I would make a comeback for is Floyd or Manny Pacquiao. Other than that, no, I’m not interested at all. The thing is, I’ve done it at the highest level and don’t have the fire in my… pic.twitter.com/2rgOSqHDmr
Khan officially retired from boxing in 2022 following his defeat by long-time rival Kell Brook at Manchester’s AO Arena. The match, which was highly anticipated, saw Khan suffer a tough sixth-round stoppage loss. In the aftermath of his retirement, it was also revealed that Khan had been serving a two-year suspension due to a failed drug test.
He had tested positive for ostarine, a substance known for its muscle-building effects, similar to those of testosterone. This revelation brought added controversy to the end of his boxing career, casting doubt over whether Khan would ever return to the sport.
Despite these challenges, Khan has remained in the public eye and recently expressed his desire to return to boxing, but only under specific circumstances.
One of the key elements driving Khan’s potential return is the prospect of a fight with Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. In previous interviews, Khan has stated that Pacquiao has expressed interest in a match, and this potential bout has the ability to reignite Khan’s passion for the sport. A fight against Pacquiao, a former eight-division world champion, would be a major event in the boxing world, drawing attention from fans and media globally.
In a recent interview, Khan confirmed that he has resumed training and is eager for a match that would give him a sense of purpose. “A bout with Manny Pacquiao would definitely lift my spirits,” Khan stated, signaling his readiness to face one of the sport’s most celebrated fighters.
However, Khan has been clear about his focus—he will only return for a fight against either Pacquiao or the legendary Floyd Mayweather. In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, Khan dismissed the possibility of fighting other opponents, explaining that only these two iconic fighters could reignite his competitive drive.
“Manny looked like s**t in his fight, really bad. Manny won’t want to fight me, and I like him. We speak on WhatsApp. They are looking for a big paycheck from Saudi, Qatar or Dubai, but it’s going to be hard because Saudi and Turki Alalshikh will never do an exhibition fight,” Khan said.
Khan’s comments reflect both his admiration for Pacquiao and his understanding of the complex logistics involved in organizing a fight. Despite his doubts, Khan remains open to the possibility, especially if the fight takes place in the Middle East, where boxing has become increasingly popular.
“If it happens and I’m ever going to consider doing an exhibition, then it will have to be in the next 12 months; otherwise, I am done from the sport. I’m 90 percent done from the sport anyway. I don’t have the love for boxing anymore. To motivate myself, it would only have to be Manny or Floyd Mayweather,” Khan added, emphasizing the narrow window for his return.
Khan’s disinterest in fighting anyone other than Pacquiao or Mayweather extends to other popular names in the boxing world. He specifically mentioned his lack of interest in facing social media sensation and boxer KSI, who has gained attention for his exhibition fights.
“No, I don’t think I will unless a Floyd Mayweather fight was there. The only two fighters I would make a comeback for is Floyd or Manny Pacquiao. Other than that, no, I’m not interested at all. I won’t fight KSI,” Khan stated.
For Khan, who has competed at the highest levels of professional boxing, the idea of facing someone like KSI, whose career has been built around YouTube and social media fame, holds little appeal. Instead, Khan remains focused on facing two fighters he views as worthy opponents.
“I have done it at the highest level and don’t have the fire in my belly anymore. God has been kind, I’m financially strong, going into other things like property and am living half of my time in Dubai and the UK as well as going to the States a lot. I’m keeping busy with lots of things,” he added.
While Khan contemplates a potential return, Manny Pacquiao has remained active in the boxing world, although primarily through exhibition fights. Pacquiao has expressed interest in making a professional comeback, but he is focused on facing world champions rather than participating in exhibitions. One potential opponent for Pacquiao is World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios, as Pacquiao seeks to continue competing at the highest level of the sport.
Most recently, Pacquiao participated in an exhibition fight against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo at the Super Rizin 3 event in Tokyo, Japan. Despite being 45 years old, Pacquiao delivered an entertaining performance for fans. However, Anpo proved to be a surprising challenge for the Filipino legend, as Pacquiao’s punches did not have the same devastating impact they once did.
In the third round, Pacquiao managed to thrill the crowd by landing several punches before the final bell, avoiding a loss in what was otherwise a tough match for the former champion.
Like Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather has remained active through exhibition matches rather than returning to professional boxing. Mayweather, who has remained undefeated in his career with a 50-0 record, has expressed no interest in a professional comeback. Instead, he has participated in high-profile exhibition bouts, often against non-traditional opponents, including social media stars and kickboxers.
Despite his focus on exhibitions, Mayweather continues to be one of the most talked-about names in the sport, and a potential fight with Khan would certainly attract global attention. However, there has been no indication from Mayweather that he is considering such a fight.
For Amir Khan, the possibility of returning to boxing hinges entirely on the prospect of facing either Pacquiao or Mayweather. At this stage in his life, Khan is financially secure and involved in various ventures outside of the sport, including property investments and dividing his time between Dubai, the UK, and the United States.
With little desire to fight other opponents, Khan’s future in the ring remains uncertain. However, with both Pacquiao and Mayweather still active in some capacity, the possibility of a high-profile exhibition fight remains on the table—at least for the next 12 months.
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