Amir Khan is interested in facing Manny Pacquiao, but says he would not be ready for December 11. His admission leaves the proposed comeback dependent on more than agreeing on a payday, with the former light welterweight champion approaching five years out of the ring.
“That’s a rumor,” Khan told Metro about appearing on the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua undercard. “Even if it was for that fight night, I wouldn’t be ready for it, and I don’t think Manny would be either.
“We’ve both been traveling, and we’re obviously not back in camp. It’s only about nine weeks away. I don’t know where that came from.”
Khan says talks are taking place and that he is happy with the money and location discussed. That establishes interest, but no signed fight or date has been announced.
The preparation question is particularly significant for Khan. He has not fought since Kell Brook stopped him in February 2022, and his last victory over a leading opponent came against Chris Algieri in 2015.
A longer camp could help Khan recover his conditioning. Whether he can regain the timing and reactions needed against Pacquiao is harder to judge. His best boxing depended on fast combinations and getting out before opponents could answer. Returning after years away would test both parts of that approach.
Pacquiao has been inactive too, but his July 2025 draw with Mario Barrios provides more recent evidence that he can compete over 12 rounds. Khan would enter negotiations without a comparable performance to point to since his retirement.
That difference makes a return fight worth considering before Khan commits to Pacquiao. Sparring can help him prepare, but an actual bout would offer a clearer picture of what remains.
Khan has always wanted the matchup, and the proposed terms appear attractive. His decision to dismiss December is sensible. The next question is whether additional time produces a prepared fighter or simply delays a difficult comeback.
Adding Pacquiao against Khan, who hasn’t fought since Brook stopped him in 2022, would turn the Cardiff card into an expensive nostalgia show. Fury–Joshua is already years overdue, and the proposed Jai Opetaia–Deontay Wilder fight features a faded former champion who turns 41 before December 11. Another pairing built around aging stars would leave the event trading heavily on what these fighters used to be.