Amir Khan turned down Manny Pacquiao

Terence Dooley reports that current 140-pound titleholder Amir Khan turned down an offer from 140-pound world champion Manny Pacquiao to fight earlier this year. Khan's father, Shah Khan, says they did so because of Amir's lack of big fight experience.

Shah Khan remarked:

"Maybe in a couple years it is something we would look at, but not at this stage."

And just in case anyone thinks the Khans are full of it, Bob Arum confirms:

"Amir's name was on the table, we offered him the fight. ... [He] has all the attributes of a great champion, and I think he's going to be a superstar in the sport. OK, so he had a loss in his career, he made a mistake, but he looks great now."

I agree that Khan has looked sensational since teaming up with Freddie Roach, and that the way Roach is coaching Amir to fight, his chin won't be the overwhelming danger it has been thus far. He's a tall guy with exceptionally fast hands, moves well, and can box.

I don't think he would have been any challenge for Pacquiao right now, and obviously the Khans made the right decision to take a pass on it. Amir still has plenty to learn from Freddie Roach, and plenty of money to make before he takes another major risk like this. I'm not even saying I like that he's going to be super protective of that chin and of his career, because it's kind of fraudulent that way, but it is what it is, and we all know it's a business. It probably didn't even project as THAT big of a money fight for either guy.

But in two years if all stays as it is? Yeah, that's a fight I'd like to see.