Khan: I want to take on Manny ahead of Brook
AMIR Khan admits he wants Manny Pacquiao next instead of Kell Brook after he survived a second-round knockdown to defeat Samuel Vargas by unanimous decision in Birmingham.
It looked like Bolton’s former world champion was on course for a comfortable victory when he knocked Vargas down in round two, but the crowd was left stunned when he suffered a heavy knockdown himself later in the round.
Khan survived the round, and appeared to recover well after dropping Vargas for the second time in round three.
But there were more nervy moments as Khan was caught with some big shots as the fight progressed, but he was in control for the majority as the bout went the distance.
The three judges scored it 119-108, 119-109 and 118-110 in Khan’s favour, earning him his second victory since his comeback.
Up next for Khan could be either former pound-forpound champ and legend Pacquiao or domestic rival Brook – who was at ringside on Saturday night – in December.
And Khan has made it clear what he would prefer.
“I want Pacquiao. The only fight that works for me over Brook is Pacquiao,” he said.
“If it’s not him, then we’ll go back to the drawing board and it may be Brook.
“I want to fight again at the end of the year.
“I want the biggest fights because that’s where I belong. Me and (promoter) Eddie Hearn will have a sit down, but first I’m going to take some time off.
Khan felt he could have ended the fight at any time, but was keen to get rounds in his legs following his long lay-off.
“I was happy to go the distance because it’s been around three years since I went 12 rounds,” he said
“There were times in the fight where I could have put him away, but Vargas came to fight.
“He caught me with the overhand right but it was a flash knockdown. I got back up again and I was fine.
“I’m getting better under my trainer Joe Goossen, and the more rounds I do the more comfortable I’ll get.”
Hearn promotes both Khan and Brook, and he thinks it is now or never for the potential fight between the two domestic rivals.
“It’s down to those guys. Amir has made it clear that he wants Pacquiao or Brook, but the Brook fight has to happen next or it will never happen,” said Hearn.
“There is only so much we can do, it’s in their hands.
“We’ll speak over the next few weeks and see which direction we are going in.”
The victory for Khan has seen him extend his professional record to 33 wins and four defeats, with 20 of his wins coming inside the distance. Vargas has now won 29, lost four and drawn two of his 35 fights following the loss against Khan.