Manny Pacquiao fuels Amir Khan fight rumours with UAE still on the table to host

Manny Pacquiao, left, and Amir Khan pose before a workout in Las Vegas in 2009. Steve Marcus / Reuters file

Manny Pacquiao says he is in talks to fight Britain's Amir Khan, with the UAE reportedly a possible destination to host the bout.

The Filipino, 38, was initially slated to fight undefeated Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane on April 23, but that was thrown into doubt last week when Pacquiao claimed his next competitive appearance would be in the Emirates.

Then on Thursday, Pacquiao’s official Twitter account tweeted: “My team and I are in negotiations with Amir Khan for our next fight. Further announcement coming soon.”

Khan, a two-time world champion and Pacquiao’s former training partner, later tweeted that he was in negotiations with Pacquiao’s team:

It comes two days after Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter at Top Rank, vehemently rejected reports that his client would fight Khan. Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's legal adviser, then claimed confirmation of the eight-division champion's next bout would come within the next week.

With the issue becoming increasingly more convoluted, it seems Horn’s chances of taking on Pacquiao are receding by the day.

“The Australian deal is not going to happen now because Manny is trying to get a fight done in the United Arab Emirates,” Arum told ESPN. “The people there favour him fighting Amir Khan.

“Whether it will happen or not I just don’t know because they have to come up with a large amount of money. Manny seems to believe they will come up with the money. I have some reservations whether it will happen or not. If the money comes up I will aid and abet the fight happening.”

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Read more

■ Fans vote: Amir Khan the preferred opponent in Twitter poll

■ Jeff Horn's team expect Manny Pacquiao fight to happen in Brisbane despite UAE claims

■ Pacquiao in the UAE: Reasons why it could happen, and reasons it probably won't

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Earlier this month, Koncz told reporters in Abu Dhabi that his client would “100 per cent” defend his WBO Welterweight title in the UAE. Pacquiao quickly added fuel to the fire by then asking his Twitter followers to choose his next opponent, with England’s Khan emerging as the overwhelming favourite. Of the four options, Horn was ranked last.

Nevertheless, an event in the UAE remains unlikely given the finances required and the logistics involved. Pacquiao (59-6-2), also a senator in the Philippines House of Representatives, made a successful return to the ring on November 5 with a unanimous decision over Jessie Vargas following a short retirement to pursue his career in politics.

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