AMIR KHAN denied ‘ridiculous’ rumours he was knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in sparring.
Khan, 34, and Pacquiao, 42, both trained together under legendary coach Freddie Roach until the Brit left the Wild Card gym in 2012.
Irish welterweight Dean Byrne, who Pacquiao used as a sparring partner before fighting Juan Manuel Marquez and Oscar De La Hoya, claimed PacMan put Khan ‘asleep’ in the gym.
But the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, who has only been stopped four times in his career, denies being KO’d by the Filipino icon – or anyone else in sparring.
Khan told World Boxing News: “I’ve been seeing reports that I got put down by Manny Pacquiao in sparring, which is not true, I have never been put down by Manny Pacquiao.
“I have had some great sparring sessions. I always look back at the times I had at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles.
“Manny was a great fighter and still is a great fighter. We must have done 300 or 400 rounds of sparring in total, and I was never put down or hurt by him in any way.
“I was never put down or put to sleep by Manny Pacquiao. It’s quite ridiculous some of the comments I’ve been reading.
“I’ve been put down in fights, but I’ve never been put down in sparring, by anyone. In sparring I’ve never been put down.”
Khan tirelessly chased fights against Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao throughout his career, but to no avail.
The Bolton hero is still not losing hope of finally settling the score with former gym pal Pacquiao following talks over a Middle East blockbuster.
Khan told beIN SPORTS in April: “I want to fight against Manny Pacquiao, he’s the champion.
“I want to reach the level that I can fight against anyone without fearing anything.
“Why don’t Qatar host the event, as it’s already prepared for the 2022 World Cup? I love Qatar and I loved my last stay there.”
Before that, though, Khan finally looks on course to take on British rival Kell Brook.
The pair have spent years calling each other out but have nothing to show for it as their score remained unsettled.
And just as it looked like talks were dead in the water, Khan has revived his interest after coming out swinging with fighting words.
He told the Khaleej Times: “I think with Kell Brook, who has always been running his mouth, I think put him in his place now.
“I think it is about time now to put him in his place and shut him up for good.”
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https://www.sportingexcitement.com/boxing/canelo-alvarez-tips-anthony-joshua-to-beat-tyson-fury-as-johnny-nelson-predicts-aj-stoppage-with-other-pundits-split
