Khan and Pacquiao were stablemates under Roach's guidance. During this time, Khan claims he surprised himself with his performance against the eight-weight world champion.
"I was really nervous at first. But then I realized Pacquiao was easy to hit, just like any other sparring partner. It really boosted my confidence," Khan said in an interview with Coin Casino.
Khan described a particular sparring session in the Philippines where he believes he outperformed Pacquiao. The session had a large audience, including members of the Philippine press, Pacquiao's friends, and politicians.
"I got the better of Pacquiao quite badly that day. Everyone saw it," Khan recalled.
The British boxer's claims got backing from an unexpected source. Khan mentioned that Freddie Roach, their shared trainer at the time, commented on the sparring sessions to a reporter.
"Yeah, Manny was getting battered by Amir all the time in sparring," Roach reportedly said at an airport. According to Khan, this comment didn't sit well with Pacquiao. "He was so pissed," Khan added.
Despite his claims of dominance, Khan expressed gratitude towards Pacquiao for the opportunity to spar with him. He acknowledged that these sessions significantly boosted his confidence, especially since they occurred when Khan was at a low point in his career and Pacquiao was at his peak.
Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of boxing's best in the last 30 years, hasn't fought since losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021. His illustrious career saw him defeat icons like Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Miguel Cotto. The Filipino legend has been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, cementing his status in boxing history.
While Khan and Pacquiao were linked to a potential fight for years, it never materialized. Khan's last professional bout was in February 2022, where he lost to Kell Brook.
These revelations offer a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamics between two world-class fighters during their training days. They also highlight the impact such experiences can have on a boxer's confidence and career trajectory.