Amir Khan prepared to come out of retirement with boxing star 'training again' and huge fight eyed

However, he's regularly teased a comeback in the time since and is now working hard in the gym to ensure he's in the best shape possible.

For the past year, there have been rumours about Khan potentially fighting Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia.

And the Bolton-born star has now admitted he'd relish the chance to face Pacquiao, who is considered one of the best boxers of all time.

"I mean I am training a little bit here and there but the thing is the only man that can make that fight happen is Turki Alalshikh," he told The Sun.

"I think Turki Alalshikh can make that fight happen between me and Manny Pacquiao.

"Yeah, that's a fight that would definitely lift me up, for sure."

Khan did, however, shut down suggestions he could be tempted by a bout with Jake Paul.

"Jake Paul, I don't think I can lift myself up for that fight," he continued.

​"But, like a Manny Pacquiao fight you have to be on your A-game."

Pacquiao himself previously turned his back in boxing in 2021, having crashed to defeat against Yordenis Ugas.

After hanging up his gloves, the 45-year-old attempted to become president of the Philippines.

Having been unsuccessful in that venture, however, Pacquiao has since proceeded to suggest he could fight again.

The veteran fought YouTuber DK Yoo in December 2022 and his manager, speaking earlier this month, claimed he had reversed his retirement decision.

“Technically, he's out of retirement," Sean Gibbons told Boxing Scene.

“He would love to fight Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia. He's got about a year left.

"He just wants to fight. Manny feels that he's in tremendous shape.

"He's training for this exhibition but hopefully that will lead to something bigger and better."

Pacquiao is on course to face Buakaw Banchamek in an exhibition match in April.

There is also speculation he could face Conor McGregor but, after three years of rumours, nothing has been finalised.

Meanwhile, Khan was recently asked about Anthony Joshua's upcoming fight with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

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And the 37-year-old believes AJ will have to be at his best to get the better of his opponent due to Ngannou's phenomenal punching power.

“I think Joshua is a very smart fighter," he told All Out Fighting.

"It will still be a hard fight because you’ve got to understand, Ngannou’s got more confidence going into this fight and he thinks he can hurt, and knock out Joshua.

“He says that Joshua’s got a weak chin, so he’s going to go for that really, and try to throw those big bombs.

"If he connects, who knows what might happen.

​"One thing about the heavyweight division is that if one punch lands it can change a fight.

“[Tyson Fury’s] one hard fighter to hit clean. So many top guys have tried to knock him out, knock him down or hurt him.

"Not to sound disrespectful; I like Joshua, I think he’s a great fighter but I think he’s easier to hit than Fury.

“The way people look at boxing now, after that fight with Fury, is that boxers are a little bit weaker than MMA fighters.

"This is where Joshua needs to show them that boxers are not weaker; boxers are better and stronger.”