• Steve Bunce

Khan-Pacquiao on the cards

The prospect of an Amir Khan-Manny Pacquiao fight has become very real © PA Photos

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It was inevitable that there was going to be tension between Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao. You can't have two guys, both world champions who are both main attractions, training out of the same gym, fighting at a similar weight, preparing to fight at similar times and being trained by the same coach without there being tension.

I'm surprised there's anyone debating there would be tension. Of course there would be! One of them has been the governor for a long time and the other one, until a few years ago, was considered a young upstart. I'd be amazed if there wasn't more tension than we know about.

Khan's still young and one of his best strengths is being honest. He possibly should think a bit more before he says things but he doesn't. I don't think it's a case of him being hot-headed or badly advised, I just think it's a case of him speaking his mind. Will the rift see Khan and Pacquiao meet in the ring? There was a point two years ago when it wouldn't have been something you would even have discussed but now we're at a point where we're saying 'When will it happen?'

I think the tension's real, I think Khan fancies it and Pacquiao fancies it. I know one thing; the punters will fancy it, so I have a feeling it will happen.

If it does go that way, at some point Roach will have to decide who he sticks with; Freddie will never be a neutral watching in silence at ringside. You'll have to assume he'll come down in the camp with the fighter he thinks will win because I imagine Freddie will be dead with the fighter he turns his back on. Let's face it, guys like Freddie Roach and Manny Steward are mercenaries. That's what they are, let's not beat around the bush, they're not father figures - that's what you have in amateur boxing clubs. They operate in a highly competitive business and they operate like businessmen. It's a fact, not a criticism.

Not so clever for Nathan
The decision by the WBC to overturn the original decision and declare Bernard Hopkin's controversial fight with Chad Dawson a technical draw was in many ways the worst possible decision for Nathan Cleverly. Had Dawson won the fight legitimately and stayed WBC champion then I honestly believe that fight could have been made. Dawson's not that popular, he's not a major attraction in America. He's a good fighter on his day; he's awkward, he's effective and he can bang a bit but he's not an A-list fighter and that means he and the people around him would be vulnerable to a good offer to fight Cleverly somewhere in the UK. They would talk tough but the cash available would inevitably soften their resistance.

However, there has to be a rematch now - Hopkins will be screaming blue murder and demanding more money, Dawson will be screaming blue murder and demanding more money, their lawyers will be doing the same and in the middle of it all two people will sit down and sign a contract. There will be a rematch and that pushes Cleverly out of the picture for a bit longer.

Eddie Hearn needs to secure Kell Brook a world title shot, and fast © Frank Coppi

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Now or never for Kell
Kell Brook has been a leading contender for the best part of two years - it seems longer! He's been avoided for the best part of two years. At what point does Kell Brook look in the mirror and say: 'Hold on a minute, I keep hearing I'm the No. 1 and how I should be fighting for a world title and then I'm not fighting for a world title'. It's about time everyone got their heads together in the Brook business and decided what they're going to do. Talking about being number one is easy.

Bear in mind he already left one promoter because he didn't get a world title fight and he's now gone to another promoter (Eddie Hearn at Matchroom Sport) and he will not be fighting for a world title when he features on the Carl Froch-Andre Ward undercard in Atlantic City on December 17. It's been time to crack on for two years. He's not learning anything from bashing up the men he has met recently; he's not having to break a sweat. He's admitted after fights that he didn't have to get out of second gear and that's dangerous preparation for the harsh realities of a big step up to a world title shot.

All eyes on Quigg-Frampton
After Scott Quigg swept aside the challenge of Jason Booth, I think all roads point to a Quigg-Carl Frampton showdown. Quigg is looking really impressive, a year ago I had them neck and neck but now I think Quigg's slightly in front. Frampton's adviser/promoter/friend, the former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, who knows a few things about this business of boxing, will think that too.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Frampton go on a bit of a tour and fight elsewhere for six or seven months. It will build the fight and allow Frampton to get up there and a bit closer to Quigg.

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