Amir Khan knows Manny Pacquiao well having trained with him for years but not many realize he knows Barrios just as well.
So he is in a rare position as a former world champion to look at their fight on July 19th when Pacquiao challenges for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title.
Speaking to Carl Froch on ‘Froch on Fighting’, Amir Khan and Froch are on good terms these days, Khan warned Pacquiao of Barrios saying:
“I know Barrios really well. I think he’s a lovely fighter. He boxes well, he’s strong. I trained with him with Virgil Hunter back in the day when I was training for my maiden fights. He was also in camp with me. A lovely guy. I know he works very hard. He’s not the most skillful, but he’s the hardest-working fighter I know. He’s proved himself, climbed that ladder slowly, and got there. I’m so happy for him that he’s making the money he’s going to make, and he deserves it more than anyone.”
Others like Robert Garcia in boxing have warned that they think Pacquiao is up against it here.
He is too. Look, Pacquiao is a hero of his country, boxing and of humanity but the reality is he needs to be smart here, he’s a huge underdog.
Repair in his training is important in his strength and conditioning, if he can have a gas tank to fight and move at a high pace for twelve rounds, that is the main thing.
Pacquiao needs to not look too far ahead and be completely focused on July 19th.