Amir Khan spoke to Betway about Manny Pacquiao’s subsequent battle.
Key factors:
Pacquiao fought one of many ‘weaker’ champions towards Mario Barrios.
He ought to retire and keep away from humiliating himself.
If he continues to battle, Conor Benn in 2026 at Wembley Stadium is the battle to make.
I = InterviewerAK = Amir Khan
I: Manny Pacquiao might miss out on combating Rolly Romero subsequent, and he received’t battle Mario Barrios in a rematch, so what’s subsequent for him?
AK: It’s a tough name. He doesn’t need the Barrios rematch — that bout wasn’t nice to observe. Types make fights; Barrios is a superb man, a stable fighter. I like Barrios.
However for my part, he is without doubt one of the weaker world champions at welterweight that Manny might’ve taken a danger on and tried to win a title from. No disrespect is meant. Barrios is a superb fighter, I used to spar with him and practice with him again within the days with Virgil Hunter, however Manny Pacquaio is somebody we don’t need to see get harm.
If it had been my cash, I’d be cautious. I noticed that after I was combating, my reactions had been slowing down, my reflexes had been slipping. I used to be getting hit by pictures I shouldn’t have been; I might see them, however the pictures had been nonetheless touchdown on me.
The starvation — generally it fades whenever you’ve acquired sufficient, and financially, I used to be robust, so I used to be considering, why do I want to remain in boxing, be grasping, and proceed combating for the cash?
For this reason I feel Manny is combating. We’re all prize fighters. If he actually misses boxing, then battle without spending a dime; it’s all concerning the cash. Simply take care of your loved ones and retire.
When cash is driving you, you can find yourself getting harm for no goal. So, I feel possibly name it a day, loosen up, take pleasure in life. Don’t take punch-for-punch battles and punishment from fighters he shouldn’t be taking it from except they’re significant. It’s unhappy to see.
I: But when he continues to battle, who ought to he face?
AK: I feel a battle with Conor Benn can be fascinating. If Conor goes into the rematch towards Chris Eubank Jr and wins or loses, the battle can be a implausible battle for him towards Manny Pacquiao.
That’d be big within the UK — individuals can be buzzing to see Pacquiao vs Benn. Lots of people within the UK need to see Manny battle there. He’s such an enormous identify world wide, so we’d like to see him battle right here.
Conor Benn is constructing proper now to change into the following large factor in boxing, and hopefully he wins the battle towards Eubank Jr within the rematch, after which it has to occur with Manny Pacquiao. If he doesn’t win, I nonetheless suppose it’s a good battle for him to do. That battle might carry large consideration.
They’re each highly effective, robust, and I need to see it. Manny is older now, and he’s not like his previous self and received’t be as sharp or as laborious as he as soon as was. These younger up-and-coming fighters ought to up their recreation a bit of bit extra and take the chance, take the massive names and attempt to win towards the largest names on the market.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and can also be a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s additionally the primary photographer for the 4CornersMafia Automotive Membership.
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