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PAC OF THE LINE
Amir Khan told to ‘get in line’ for Manny Pacquiao bout by Freddie Roach with Floyd Mayweather rematch preferred
AMIR KHAN has been told he does not deserve a shot at Manny Pacquiao.
Khan’s ex-trainer Freddie Roach believes the Brit must “get in line” for a shot at legendary PacMan – who wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
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Bolton hero Khan, 32, announced on Tuesday that he had “signed” terms for a Saudi Arabian scrap between himself and Pacquiao to take place in November.
But those claims were soon shot down by Filipino icon Pacquiao, 40.
Roach says eight-weight champion Pacquiao, who he trains, wants to prove he is the best on the planet.
Khan’s last four title shots have all ended in defeat.
And Roach believes only a rematch against Mayweather, or welterweight champs Errol Spence and Terence Crawford, will do that.
Roach told SunSport: “I’ve heard remarks from Amir Khan saying he wants to fight Manny - but tell him to get in line, he’s way down, deep in the line.
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“Does Amir Khan deserve a shot? Who’s he beaten lately? Has he beat anyone in the top ten? I don’t think so.
“Amir is a good boxer, yes, but if you get knocked out more times than anyone in the division… we’ll just have to see after this fight.”
Trainer Roach witnessed dozens of shared rounds in sparring between Khan and Pacquiao in his Los Angeles Wildcard gym.
But still the 59-year-old deems Khan, who lost to Crawford in April before smashing featherweight Billy Dib this month, a step down for PacMan - who outpointed Adrien Broner in January.
Pacquiao faces WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman on Saturday night.
And Roach added: “To the best of my knowledge there’s been no contact (with Khan) whatsoever - to my knowledge we are not signed with anyone to fight other than Thurman. It’s a good fight for Manny I feel.
“If we don’t get Floyd Mayweather next we look at Errol Spence, Terence Crawford, those guys.
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“We just want to be in the fight game not only to make money but to be the best fighter in the world.”
Many predicted the end for Pacquiao when Australian Jeff Horn was handed a contentious split-decision win for the WBO welterweight title in 2017.
But a win over Lucas Matthysse a year later – his first KO in 11 years – and a masterclass against Broner in January, has many convinced many that the veteran is rejuvenated.
Having given away his fight purses to the poor, Pacquiao finds himself clashing against an unbeaten, feared puncher in Thurman.
Claiming another world title is all part of the Filipino senator’s “motivation” to become president of his homeland, with an election due in 2022.
But Roach insists trading punches is still Pacquiao’s bread and butter - despite his political ambitions.
Roach added: “His work ethic is so good, it’s always been so good and he’s really hungry to still fight - it’s what he does best.
“Being a senator is kind of fun for him, but what he does best is box and that’s why he’s still in the game.
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“I know he wants to be president, and the first world champion to be president also.
“He means a lot to the Philippines, he does a lot for the people - he donates all his money to the poor, he’s just one of the nicest and most generous people in the world.
“He’s won eight world titles but that’s in the history, but we’re going forward still and we want to fight the best fighters out there.”
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