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Philippines, 18 May 2026 |
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With win over Vargas, Khan closes in on facing Pacquiao By Eddie Alinea PhilBoxing.com Fri, 07 Sep 2018  British welterweight Amir Khan fights Columbian-born Samuel Vargas on Saturday hoping for a win that will catapult him back to big time against no less than Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao. The 31-year-old is heavily favored over Vargas in their 12-round scuffle at the 15,000-seat Birmingham Arena in the United Kingdom serving as his stepping stone towards a dream million-dollar fight in bigger stadium in London. The British-Pakistani former unified 147-pound belt owner is not overlooking Vargas, precisely because of that potential meeting with the soon-to-be 40-year-old ex-sparring mate, which he has been obsessed with for a very long time. Khan used to hold WBA light-welterweight title from 2009 to 2012, and the IBF version of the 147-pound plum in 2011. Promoter Eddie Hearn was reported having preferred Khan to face one of his other Matchroom fighters ? long-term rival Brook in what would also be a huge bout. But Khan would rather wish the eight-division world champion based in General Santos City in Mindanao for a victory, he said, would define his career. ?Who would I rather face next? Pacquiao, definitely,? Khan declared as reported by Press Association the other day. ?I?d love the Manny Pacquiao fight. I think that?s going to be the defining fight ? that is going to put me where I need to be in boxing. If I beat Manny Pacquiao that would put me where I want to be,? he said. The Bolton-based fighter would have earned the right to face Pacquiao a couple of years back in Dubai but it never came to fruition. The Filipino instead battled Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane in 2017 and lost his WBO welter crown. Only last July, Pacquiao TKOed Argentine WBA titlst Lucas Matthysse in the seventh round in Kuala Lumpur, in the process winning back his place in the big market himself. ?He (Pacquiao) is a legend of the sport and I want to fight a legend. It would be the biggest fight of my career,? Khan stressed. Asked if the reason in chasing the Pacquiao fight would cement his own legacy, Khan said: ?It?s not about that. I just want to fight the best and beat the best out there and be remembered as a great fighter.? ?What I?ve done in British boxing is what most fighters have never done before. I?ve won world titles, headlined in Vegas, fought the best out there. I?ve done it all so what?s left, win another world title? Something I?ve already done,? Khan asserted. ?First though, I?ve got to get the win on Saturday and I am not looking beyond Samuel Vargas.? Vargas, 29, is confident though of derailing Khan?s plans with an upset, saying the Briton is past his best and ?damaged? by the devastating knock-out defeat against Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez in 2016. ?There is no doubt in my mind I will be victorious on Saturday night,? said Vargas. ?I don?t care how I do it, whether it?s by knockout, going the distance or I break his ribs ? I don?t care. He?s an old man.? To which Khan retorted: ?I?m glad he?s confident as he?s making the fight more interesting. To be honest, I don?t know much about him. But I?ve seen him fight and he?s not on the same level as me. ?He?s not as good as the guys I?ve beaten in my career and nowhere near as good as the sparring partners I?ve had so he?s got no chance. I?m a better fighter, he?s not on the same level,? the confident Khan assured. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.  |
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