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Bout to happen?

Why is Manny Pacquiao v Amir Khan off? Will it ever happen? – here’s what we know

Both fighters took to Twitter to confirm an agreement was close for the mega fight to take place in the United Arb Emirates

AMIR KHAN'S mega fight with boxing great Manny Pacquiao is off, according to the Filipino's promoter Bob Arum.

The former training partners had confirmed they are in detailed talks over facing each other in the ring and were hoping to confirm May 20 in the United Arab Emirates.

Manny Pacquiao celebrates his victory over Jessie Vargas
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Manny Pacquiao celebrating his victory over Jessie VargasCredit: Getty Images

However, Arum Pacquiao's dismissed talk of the £30million fight going ahead in the gulf state.

Arum told LA Times:"When they contacted me, I told them it was pie in the sky, that this is crazy, it’s not going to happen."

“Manny wanted to roll the dice. He rolled the dice and it came up snake eyes.

“If something is too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.”Arum added.
“That deal is done for now.

Why would Pacquiao be fighting Khan?

Pacquiao put the question out on social media, asking his following who they want him to box in his next fight.

The 38-year-old gave fans four choices - with the options being Khan, IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, undefeated American Terence Crawford and Australian Jeff Horn.

But Khan was clearly the fans' favourite, with 48 per cent of the vote - whilst Brook was second, marginally ahead of Crawford, with 24 per cent.

What title could have been on the line?

The potential bout between Pacquiao and Khan would have been for the WBO world welterweight.

Pacquiao retired last April but returned to the ring reclaim the title after defeating Jesse Vargas and he is now in his third reign of the belt.

Khan is now the number one challenger for the belt by Pacquiao's supporters.

The 30-year-old previously challenged for the middleweight title in 2016 and lost to Canelo after being brutally knocked out.

Khan wants a Danny Garcia rematch after seeing a fight with Kell Brook fall through
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Amir Khan was chosen by fans to face PacquiaoCredit: Reuters

What is Manny Pacquiao’s record?

Pacquiao, who will go down as a boxing great, currently boasts a staggering record of 59 wins, six losses and two draws.

He goes into his next match on the back of two victories after beating both Vargas and Timothy Bradley Jnr.

Whilst his last defeat coming up against Floyd Mayweather Jnr in a megafight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

What is Amir Khan’s record?

Khan would go into the fight on the back of a defeat after being devastatingly knocked out by Canelo.

The Brit has a current record of 31 wins and four losses - with his other three defeats coming up against Breidis Prescott, Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia.

But King Khan has recorded stand-out victories against the likes of Marcos Maidana, Paulie Malignaggi and Devon Alexander.

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