Amir Khan reveals why Manny Pacquiao fight didn't happen…but it still could
AMIR KHAN believes the Dubai investors backing his bout against Manny Pacquiao just needed more time in order to make the fight happen.
A group in the Middle East initially approached Pacquiao offering a deal thought to be worth around £30million to fight Khan.
The eight-division world champion went against the advice of manager Bob Arum, who was sceptical over the deal, and entered into talks with the Dubai team.
However, negotiations fell apart and now Khan, who was privy but not present at the talks, has opened up on exactly why.
"The fight made sense but the investors were a little bit slow and they needed a little bit more time," Khan told ESNEWS.
"But I need to keep busy.
"Stylistically, it's a great fight for me but let's see.
"Pacquiao doesn't struggle to get fights.
"It's all about timing in this game and this is my time to shine.
"Manny being the No 1 welterweight, beating him would have given me the chance to win a world title again in the 147lb division.
"Then I can go and to take on big names like Keith Thurman and the winner of Errol Spence and Kell Brook."
Khan had also been in talks with IBF welterweight champion Brook over a UK title fight but those negotiations are understood to have ended acrimoniously.
Old footage of 16 year-old Pacquiao knocking out older opponent
And Khan, who had extensive hand surgery last year, now says that he wants a minor fight before facing a massive opponent, possibly as soon as December.
"The welterweight division is a very exciting one," Khan added.
"I need a tune-up fight to feel the hand out properly since the operation but I want to be back in the ring as soon as possible.
"Maybe I'll take a UK fight for the UK fans and then go straight to a massive fight at the end of the year.
"We are just grinding away and hopefully we're going to fight end of April or beginning of May,
"I'm just working out [whether the fight will be in the US or UK].
"I'm doing all the numbers.
"Within a week we should have something confirmed."