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Boxing

'An honour!' - Amir Khan reflects on Manny Pacquiao sparring sessions before world title reign

'An honour!' - Amir Khan reflects on Manny Pacquiao sparring sessions before world title reignDan Istitene/Getty Images
The Briton headed to America and teamed up with the then-pound-for-pound favourite after he suffered his first career loss in 2008.

Amir Khan has opened up on his time as Manny Pacquiao's sparring partner during the latter's peak, describing their time together as "an honour".

The former unified light-welterweight world champion was touted for a clash with the Filipino superstar at points during their careers, though the bout never came to pass.

But following his first career loss against Breidis Prescott in 2008, Khan headed to America under the guidance of Freddie Roach and trained alongside Pacquiao.

Then WBC lightweight champion and arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the business, Khan admits he looks back on his time in the ring with fond memories.

"Manny was a beast," he told The Stomping Ground's Beyond The Play. "For me, it was perfect at that time, because I had just [lost to] Prescott.

"I needed somewhere to go which was going to make me train harder. When I went there, the first thing Freddie [had me do] was jump in the ring and spar with Manny Pacquiao.

"[I went] maybe 300 rounds with Manny. Some days, I sparred really well. Some days, I got the better of him, some days he got the better of me.

"It was a really competitive spar. It was an honour to be in the ring with such a legend. Manny Pacquiao, he's one of the best fighters in the world."

Khan would go on to become WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion over the next three years, while Pacquiao would score wins over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in the same period.

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