Pacquiao with Khan in 2009
Manny Pacquiao (L) of the Philippines poses with British boxer Amir Khan before a workout in Las Vegas, Nevada November 11, 2009. Pacquiao's strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza looks on at left. Pacquiao will challenge WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14. Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus

British boxer Amir Khan is positive that a fight with Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao will happen in 2016. In a recent interview, Khan stated that he’s excited to meet his friend and former sparmate next year saying both of their styles will make for a good match-up.

"I think 75 percent. I think this [Pacquiao vs Khan] could happen. If it is going to happen, it's going to happen. Pacquiao is a fight I would like to have because styles makes fights. Me and Pacquiao used to train together as well, spar together,” Khan told AFP.

"We are friends but sometimes, you know, friends have to fight each other. I think it can happen. It's all about just doing the little things, contracts and stuff. I have left it to my team, my team are taking care of it, it's a good fight for me.”

Both Khan and Pacquiao trained in Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in previous years. The British boxer now trains with another respected trainer in Virgil Hunter. Khan has chased Floyd Mayweather in recent years but was ignored by the American and Khan calls Pacquiao the next best fighter after Mayweather.

"Floyd, in a way, chickened out, he didn't give me the fight. Three years he was saying he was going to give me the fight but then he didn't give me the fight,” Khan added.

Pacquiao is reportedly near recovery from his shoulder injury he suffered during the training for his fight against Mayweather, who won the “Fight of the Century” against Pacquiao last May 2.

Pacquiao, along with Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum has stated in multiple reports that they plan to make the comeback fight in early 2016.

Khan has been one of the names discussed as a probable opponent for Pacquiao. Arum stated in various reports that aside from Khan, other boxers considered are Terence Crawford, Lucas Matthysse, Kell Brook and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Khan, who lost back-to-back matches in 2011 and 2012, has won his last five bouts including a unanimous decision victory over Chris Algieri in his last fight last May.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES