• Boxing

Pacquiao is past his best, says Khan

ESPN staff
November 12, 2014
Amir Khan says Manny Pacquiao could struggle against Chris Algieri © Getty Images
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Amir Khan has told ESPN that Manny Pacquiao is past his peak and age and distractions have begun to get the better of him.

The Filipino, 35, fights against American Chris Algieri for the WBO world welterweight title in Macau, China, on November 22 and Khan has backed him to come through.

But the Briton, who is confident of securing a superfight with Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr after he takes on American Devon Alexander next month, said former sparring partner 'Pac Man' has shown clear signs of decline.

"The relentlessness, power and explosiveness are all gone with Pacquiao and he's not like he used to be," Khan told ESPN's Inside Boxing.

"The power he had when he knocked out the likes of Ricky Hatton, you don't see that now because he's boxing more than he used to."

Pacquiao has revived his career after two defeats in 2012 when he was controversially out-pointed by American Tim Bradley and was then knocked out in the sixth round by Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

He has since out-pointed Bradley and Brandon Rios but former training partner Khan was not impressed.

"Algieri's style suits him, but Pacquiao's last few performances have not been the best," Khan said. "He has been caught a bit and it might be tough for him this next one.

"In his last four fights, Brandon Rios was made for Pacquiao and the Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez fights took a lot out of him. He's getting older - he's 35 - and he's got a lot of distractions in his life now. He's staying in the Philippines to train now and you can see people are pulling him here, there and everywhere. He's also getting into politics.

"I still favour more towards Manny and I think it will go the distance, but Algieri might surprise a few people with his performance."

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