Manny Pacquiao vs. Amir Khan fight rumors: Will Khan end up chasing nothing?

Amir KhanReuters

Amir Khan is still technically among the top fighters whom Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao could face in his boxing career finale, but he is up against a formidable alternative in Terence Crawford.

And some believe that Khan could be shunned yet again if he continues to wait on the Pacquiao camp's decision and one of them include an unlikely personality in Eddie Hearn, the handler of Kell Brook.

Hearn is, of course, vouching for Khan to face Kell Brook for some time now. However, Khan has maintained that Brook needs to face a big name fighter before he even considers fighting his fellow Briton. But could all that change in case Khan is passed up?

Hearn believes that the best bet is for Pacquiao to face an opponent who could draw in big money. Unfortunately, he doesn't see Khan as that guy. In fact, it isn't Crawford either. His choice? Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Hearn joins a big list of folks who believe that if Pacquiao is to go out in style, it must be against the best. The problem is Mayweather claims he is retired and nothing will change at least for now.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum respects Mayweather's decision and has been the person shooting down rumors one after the other. Khan himself even admitted that such seems to be the path that Pacquiao and company are choosing, but Arum shot down that claim.

Surely, there will be more calls for Pacquiao to face Mayweather, although that doesn't seem feasible for now. With regards to Khan, Hearn believes that he may end up in a wild goose chase if he continues to believe that he will get the nod for Pacquiao's April tiff.

In all, Hearn is himself not giving up on potentially seeing a fight featuring both Britons. Brook is not tied up at the moment and should Khan indeed be out of Pacquaio fight talks, such could happen.

But all that can only materialize if Khan wills it. Right now, the longer he waits, the longer he is left inactive. Until Khan realizes that, he is steadily getting out of shape with each passing month.