Hatton wants Khan bout vs Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Former champion Ricky Hatton doesn’t mind seeing a match between his British compatriot Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao.

Speaking to Phil Jay of World Boxing News, Hatton said a Pacquiao-Khan fight would be an intriguing one.

“It’s a good fight Amir Khan v Manny Pacquiao – a chess match,” said Hatton. “I think they would both try and use their speed and movement to win it.”

Hatton, who has held titles in junior welterweight and welterweight, suffered a second round knockout defeat to Pacquiao in 2009. He tried to bounce back three years later but was again stopped by Vyacheslav Senchenko in the ninth round.

Hatton then announced his retirement.

Now that he’s a boxing observer, Hatton is supportive of Khan as he shoots for big fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao, who just last May figured in boxing’s richest match ever.

Athough Mayweather emerged victorious over Pacquiao, Hatton thinks the Filipino icon is far from done.

“It’s good that Amir wants to fight the best and I believe that Pacquiao is still one of the best,” he said.

Pacquiao is recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained while training for the Mayweather fight. A fight between him and Khan is not out of the question, as the latter even brought up Dubai as a possible venue.

Hatton, for his part, would love to witness it.

“I think it will be a bit of a fencing match style-wise and it’s a fight you’d pay to see, definitely,” he said. – Dino Maragay/Contributor