Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao is not convinced that Amir Khan really wants to fight.
Khan, in his second fight of the year, returned to the ring on Saturday night in Birmingham, and won a twelve round unanimous decision over Samuel Vargas.
The contest was much tougher than expected, with Khan going down in the second round and getting rocked at the end of the tenth.
Pacquiao, however, had one of the most impressive performances of his career back in July.
He battered Lucas Matthysse to capture the WBA "regular" welterweight title in Malaysia. It was Pacquiao's first stoppage win since November of 2009, with Matthysse going down three times in the bout.
After his recent win, Khan called for a showdown with Pacquiao.
But, Khan made it clear that he wasn't willing to give up the bulk of the money to make the fight happen - warning Pacquiao that there are other options out there.
“Manny needs to know I’ve got other options — I have Kell Brook as well,” Khan said.
“Manny can’t price himself out, he’s not going to make the same kind of money fighting anyone else. That’s my message to Manny,” said Khan, who will also celebrate his birthday nine days before Pacquiao."
When Pacquiao was advised of Khan's position on the money, he was less than enthused.
“It doesn’t sound as if he really wants to fight (me),” said Pacquiao to the Manila Bulletin.
According to Pacquiao, he is aiming to fight again on December 1.
Khan and Pacquiao were once training partners for several years, when both boxers were being handled by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Back in 2012, Khan parted ways with Roach and hired Virgil Hunter. He is currently being trained by Joe Goossen.
Pacquiao left Roach earlier this year, and then promoted his best friend Buboy Fernandez to the position of head trainer.
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