Amir Khan News: 'King Khan' Not Fighting Manny Pacquiao, Faces IBF Welterweight Champion Kell Brook Instead
Two-time former world champion Amir Khan will not be fighting ex-sparring partner Manny Pacquiao for his next assignment.
Instead, he will be facing IBF world welterweight champion Kell Brook in a fight that has yet to be scheduled, depending on how they will be performing on their upcoming fights.
In an interview with Sport 360 (which was reported by Boxingscene), Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the news, noting that Brook should defend his title first against mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier in early 2016.
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The report adds that Khan, on the other hand, should win his fight against an opponent yet to be named. The bout is being set around the same time, as well.
"Amir's not got the Pacquiao fight," Hearn told Sport 360. "I always felt Brook is the obvious choice, but Mayweather and Pacquiao were big fights for Khan and now they are not happening."
"King Khan" (31-3, with 19 wins by knockout), last saw action in May against former WBO light welterweight champion Chris Algieri. Khan won the bout by unanimous decision, and retained the WBC Silver welterweight title.
In April, Khan was one of the prime candidates for Manny Pacquiao's 66th and supposed final fight in April 2016. A former sparring partner of "Pacman's" during his days under the tutelage of Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in West Hollywood, Khan was among the shortlisted fighters, along with world champion Terence Crawford.
Now, with the shift of assignments given the current situation, Hearn says the fight with Brook is the most sensible choice, given the fact that keeping both men on the shelves for too long is not that advisable.
"I have said to Amir that if we don't get this sorted in the next couple of weeks we will miss the boat for a summer fight," Hearn explained in another Boxing Scene report. "Brook one million percent wants the fight, now I believe Khan wants the fight, so we will meet next week and I believe we will get the deal done."
