Fortune likes Amir Khan for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines — Australian conditioning coach Justin Fortune prefers Amir Khan to fight WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao next, thumbing down suggestions for the Filipino Senator to face either Vasyl Lomachenko or Terence Crawford because the British contender could bring in 100,000 fans to witness a showdown at Wembley Stadium in London.

But former WBO lightwelterweight titlist Chris Algieri, now a boxing analyst for ESPN TV, said Khan will be a difficult opponent for Pacquiao. Algieri said Khan is quicker with his combinations although Pacquiao has a more explosive first step.  Algieri has lost to both Khan and Pacquiao on points but suffered six knockdowns in bowing to the Filipino.

Fortune, however, said Khan won’t be able to handle Pacquiao’s power. Before Pacquiao battled Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur over a week ago, Fortune predicted the Argentinian would fold up because of the power factor. The difference between Matthysse and Khan is the slower Argentinian is an easy target while the 2004 Olympic lightweight silver medalist, who’s fast on his feet, isn’t.

Fortune said Lomachenko and Crawford are Top Rank CEO Bob Arum’s protégés. “Personally, I don’t think Bob wanted Manny to beat Matthysse,” said Fortune. “Manny can promote his own fights and doesn’t need Bob. So why do a fight against any of Bob’s fighters?”

Lomachenko, 30, is the reigning WBA lightweight champion and has an 11-1 record, with 9 KOs. He has fought only once beyond 130 pounds and that was when he stopped Jorge Linares for the WBA crown in New York last May. Lomachenko recently said he’ll only fight Pacquiao at the 135-pound limit, no more, no less. Pacquiao hasn’t scaled within the 135-pound limit since stopping David Diaz in 2008 and that was 17 fights ago.

Crawford, 30, is the WBO welterweight titlist. His record is 30-0, with 24 KOs. He’s the former WBO lightweight and IBF/WBC/WBO/WBA superlightweight champion. Last June, Crawford halted Jeff Horn to wrest the WBO welterweight crown. He is often described as the second coming of Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

“Lomachenko would be no problem for Manny,” said Fortune. “He fights using only one angle while Manny has different angles. I don’t think he has the power to hurt Manny. Besides, Manny is too quick for Lomachenko. He won’t be a standing target for a shot to the body like Linares. As for Crawford, what’s the point of fighting him? Crawford will gain a lot more than Manny if he wins.”

Khan, 31, is a popular figure in the UK and Fortune said he’ll pack Wembley Stadium with a fight against Pacquiao. In 2014, the WBA/IBF supermiddleweight title bout between Carl Froch and George Groves brought in 80,000 fans to Wembley. Last year, the WBA/IBF heavyweight championship fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko drew 90,000 fans to the stadium. A concert at Wembley can sit 90,000 plus an additional 15,000 on a standing-only basis.  

Khan, who used to be a Pacquiao sparmate, has a 32-4 record, with 20 KOs, including seven in the first round. He took a two-year layoff after losing to Canelo Alvarez by a knockout then came back to stop Phil Lo Greco in the first round in Liverpool last April. On Sept. 8, Khan will battle Colombian Samuel Vargas in a 12-rounder in Birmingham. If Khan defeats Vargas, he’ll call out Pacquiao for sure.

Khan’s weakness is a glass jaw. He was halted by Breidis Prescott in one round, Danny Garcia in seven and Alvarez in six. English fans will want Khan to avenge their hero Ricky Hatton’s devastating knockout loss to Pacquiao in 2009.