The 36-year-old Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and he is expected to re-enter the squared circle in either February or March. Pacquiao, who tore his rotator cuff roughly three weeks before getting outclassed by Floyd Mayweather on May 2, failed to properly inform the Nevada State Athletic Commission about his injury. Pacquiao was subsequently prohibited from taking an anti-inflammatory shot, fought timidly, and was outscored by the 38-year-old Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) by embarrassing counts of 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110.
Approximately four weeks after the Pacquiao debacle, the 28-year-old Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) won an exciting unanimous decision over ballsy New Yorker Chris Algieri in their welterweight battle on May 29. Khan, a former IBF and WBA light-welterweight titleholder who became one of the most youthful British champs ever at the age of 22, officially defeated the 31-year-old Algieri (20-2, 8 KOs) by scores of 115-113, 117-111 and 117-111. Using deft footwork and an effective jab, the 5-foot-11 Algieri frequently rocked the 5-foot-8 Khan with flush shots. Fortunately for the 8-1 favorite, Algieri possesses feathery fists and his punches couldn’t even floor the delicate Khan. “King Khan” ultimately escaped by leaning on his elite speed and pinpoint accuracy.
Khan, a Pakistani-British boxer who had been observing Ramadan, began training to meet Mayweather once the holy month concluded on July 17. Much to Khan’s disappointment, Mayweather instead chose to meet Andre Berto on September 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“This takes time and I will present everything to Manny and we’ll see what happens,” said Arum, who promotes Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is an eight-division titleholder who the Boxing Writers Association of America named its “Fighter of the Decade for the 2000s.” The speedy southpaw used his superior quickness to land blistering combinations and become one the world’s premier pound-for pounders. Comparatively, Khan is also extremely quick and his punches are consistently launched with tremendous precision. However, although gifted, Khan is a human chandelier whose glass jaw will prevent him from ever becoming an elite prizefighter. If the brittle Khan and shopworn Filipino slugger actually do throw fists, Pacquiao will secure his first knockout since November 2009 when he finished Miguel Cotto in the 12th.
Accordingly, rather than waiting to “see what happens,” Manny Pacquiao should phone Bob Arum tonight and cement a wintertime clash with Amir Khan.
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