Fresh from pushing a Mexican legend on the brink of oblivion, British lightweight Amir Khan is going to be recalled back to Los Angeles next month to help prepare Manny Pacquiao for his much-awaited fight with Ricky Hatton on May 2.
Moments after Khan pummeled Marco Antonio Barrera to a pulp en route to winning a fifth-round technical decision in Manchester last Saturday, trainer Freddie Roach told his new pupil that his presence at the Wild Card as a sparring partner will be greatly appreciated.
"It is definitely a possibility that Amir could spar with Manny for the Hatton fight, yeah," Roach told the British tabloid Daily Star. "I love using Amir because when you can handle his speed you are sharp and can deal with anybody."
Roach is aware that Khan and Hatton are different style-wise but his dedication and his work ethic are plus factors in the Pacquiao training camp.
"He doesn’t have the exact same style as Hatton, but work is work and getting sharp is part of the game. Amir and Pacquiao have very similar qualities. When they work together in the gym they are unbelievable," added Roach, who will resume training Pacquiao this week.
Khan, a silver medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympics, gladly welcomed Roach’s invitation to work hand in hand with Pacquiao for the second straight time.
"I would love to help him (Pacquiao). It is a friendship and it is good to have someone like him to look up to. He is pound for pound the best fighter in the world and if I can spar with him, it is going to take me on to the next level," said Khan.
Khan was one of Pacquiao’s sparmates when the Filipino revved up for Oscar De La Hoya last year.
Source: mb.com.ph
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