Boxing News 2014: Amir Khan Says Manny Pacquiao Is Tougher, More Explosive Than Floyd Mayweather

Amir Khan is fresh off a convincing 12-round unanimous decision victory over Devon Alexander last Saturday and the British boxer wants his next fight to come against Floyd Mayweather Jr., the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world or against Manny Pacquiao, his former sparmate when he was still training under renowned trainer Freddie Roach some years back.

Not a big boxing star compared to Mayweather or Pacquiao, Khan will be a “Plan B” for both fighters should they fail to agree on the proposed Mayweather vs. Pacquiao super fight in 2015 However, Khan is already laying the groundwork if he meets either one saying in a recent statement that a fight with the American will be easier than a match-up with the Filipino.

“Manny Pacquiao is a tougher fight because he is more explosive and has more power while with Mayweather, it is more a game of chess. They are both great fighters and both big names,” Khan declared to boxingscene.com just days after his victory over Alexander. In that match, he dominated from rounds one through twelve with the judges’ scorecards showing 119-109, 118-110 and 120-108.

The British boxer has been salivating for a huge money fight at this stage in his career. In 2013, he canceled a bout against Alexander with hopes that Mayweather will pick him for what could have been the biggest bout for the fighter from Bolton, Lancashire in the United Kingdom. However, the undefeated American selected Marcos Maidana for a rematch leaving Khan to fight lesser known opponents and settling for lower purses. After his big win over Alexander, he might have gotten the attention of Mayweather.

Khan admitted that he need the big money fights not just of the boxing purse but because he wants to improve his status in becoming one of the greatest boxers in the sport.

“I want to be in the hall of fame one day and I want them to say that I am a great fighter. I need those type of fights,” Khan, who improved to 30-3-0 after the Alexander fight, added in the same interview.

It remains to be seen if Mayweather finally chooses Pacquiao as his next opponent although there has been feelers from both sides that they want the fight. If negotiations for the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao negotiations fails again, Khan will be waiting for Mayweather to call.