It’s off! Khan’s superfight with Manny is axed

AMIR Khan’s proposed super fight with Manny Pacquiao is off, according to promoter Bob Arum.

Bolton’s Khan was set for a showdown with the boxing legend after both camps had been in negotiations over the last few weeks.

Both fighters tweeted they had agreed on a date of April 23, but that was dependent on the finances of the deal being worked out. It was believed that over $35m would have to be raised to make the fight happen, with the bulk of it supposedly coming from backers in the United Arab Emirates.

But Pacquiao’s promoter Arum has now announced the finances have not been provided, and the fight is off.

“It’s kaddish for the UAE deal. It’s dead. I’m talking to Manny about another proposal for another fight, but not Khan. Khan won’t be Manny’s next opponent,” Arum said.

“When they contacted me I told them it was pie in the sky, that it was crazy, and that it was not going to happen.

“Manny wanted to roll the dice. He rolled the dice and it came up snake eyes. If something is too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.”

Arum repeatedly said he did not think the fight would happen, but Pacquiao was negotiating the deal with his advisor Michael Koncz instead.

With that in mind, a source close to Khan’s camp believe a deal could still be made with Koncz, despite the claims from Arum.

“They are still confident of the fight happening,” the source told ESPN.

“If it is going to happen, something will happen in the next couple days. There are a group of people with businesses in the UK who Amir knows well, and they are handling the negotiations for the Pacquiao fight for him.

“They are still confident that it can materialise. They think the money in the UAE is not an issue. There are people in the UAE keen to have the fight on.”

Meanwhile, the date and location for Hughie Fury’s WBO heavyweight title fight with Joseph Parker has been confirmed for May 6 in Auckland.

It will be the first time Hughie has challenged for a world title, and he is excited about the opportunity.

“These are the fights I want and these are the fights I have always wanted,” he said.

“I have had my downs and now I am on my way upwards. I have had illnesses in the past but that is all behind me and I just can’t wait to move forward.

“I am confident whoever I am against. I believe I am the best out there and I am going to prove it.”