Khan insists purse real for Manny Dubai bout

MANILA, Philippines - Amir Khan is not losing hope about a fight with Manny Pacquiao, even though many think the deal is dead.

In a report by the UK-based newspaper The Sun, Khan went as far as saying that the money for the fight – which has been central to the failed negotiations – exists.

“People are saying the money in Dubai isn’t there and that’s why the fight is off,” said the British fighter, referring to the reported $38 million fund being dangled by an unidentified investment group in the United Arab Emirates to stage the fight somewhere in the country.

Top Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum, however, earlier declared that the fight is “dead” as the said amount is nowhere to be found.

Khan, for his part, insists that the purse is real.

“But the money is there. My team has seen the proof of that,” he added.

The 30-year-old Khan hasn’t fought since getting knocked out by WBC middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in May last year. He is raring to return to the ring soon.

And Khan badly wants Pacquiao, whom he used to train and spar with under Freddie Roach. – Dino Maragay/Philstar.com