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KHAN IS ABLE

Amir Khan feared boxing career was over after fight against Manny Pacquaio was shelved

Bolton boxer has just signed a multi-fight deal with old foe Eddie Hearn, but his career was at a crossroads last year

AMIR KHAN admits he thought his boxing career was over last year when a fight against Manny Pacquiao fell through.

The Bolton boxer was speaking at the official announcement of his shock link-up with old foe Eddie Hearn at Matchroom.

Amir Khan is back after singing a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom
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Amir Khan is back after singing a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn and MatchroomCredit: Reuters
Amir Khan's fight against Manny Pacquiao fell through last year - and the Bolton man feared where his career was heading
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Amir Khan's fight against Manny Pacquiao fell through last year - and the Bolton man feared where his career was headingCredit: PA:Press Association

But Khan admitted his future looked bleak when the £31m fight against Pac Man was called off at the last minute.

The two were scheduled to face-off in the United Arab Emirates on March 20.

Speaking to SunSport, the 31-year-old said: "When that fight didn’t happen it put me on a really bad downer. I thought 'where am I going to go from here'.

"I really put all my eggs in one basket and thought ‘this is the fight I really want’.

Amir Khan has healed the rift he had with boxing supremo Eddie Hearn and agreed a link-up
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Amir Khan has healed the rift he had with boxing supremo Eddie Hearn and agreed a link-upCredit: REUTERS
Amir Khan buries the hatchet with Eddie Hearn as he announces return to boxing

"Then I had the hand injury, and I was waiting for the hand to get better.

"When Pacquiao went and I heard Kell Brook went up a weight I thought ‘where do I go from here’."


HATCHET BURIED Amir Khan signals new chapter in his boxing career


But now ten months later, Khan is looking to a bright future under Hearn, a man he previously said he "didn't like".

He will feature on a show at the Liverpool Echo Arena on March 21.

He added: "It’s all about now, rebuilding my career, making the big fights happen, there are some big names out there.

"I want to fight for a world title within three fights. I really belong at world title level, getting into the ring in Liverpool is just going to get me back moving again, it will show me where I am, and how long I need for a world title fight.

"I want the big names. I don’t want the easy fights, but then again I want to see how I feel and how my body feels.

"I want to fight whoever is at the top, that’s the type of fighter I am."

Amir Khan had a stint in the jungle where he considered what his next career move would be
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Amir Khan had a stint in the jungle where he considered what his next career move would beCredit: PA:Press Association
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Amir Khan has not fought for almost two years, when he ended up losing to Canelo AlvarezCredit: AFP - Getty
Amir Khan is excited for the next stage of his career, and fighting back in the UK
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Amir Khan is excited for the next stage of his career, and fighting back in the UKCredit: REUTERS
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