Amir Khan is apparently ready to walk away from a bout with Manny Pacquiao, who is attempting to organise a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
Pacquiao is recovering from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff following his defeat to Mayweather in May.
He was well beaten on points by the unbeaten American in Las Vegas, but wants to fight Mayweather when he is in peak physical condition, according to media reports.
Winner of world titles in eight different weight classes, the 36-year-old Pacquiao said earlier this month that he is eyeing one final fight next year before retiring.
But it doesn’t look like that contest will involve Khan, who has accused the Filipino of stalling with the prospect of a second fight with Mayweather apparently still on the cards.
“I’m really disappointed in Manny and his team,” said Khan, whose team spoke to Pacquiao’s representatives in Doha last week about what would have been the Bolton fighter’s biggest fight.
“They aren’t playing ball. All that was left to do is to sign the contract. But they are stalling. I have pulled out of the negotiations. I am no longer fighting Manny Pacquiao.
“I am not going to wait around for Manny like I did for Mayweather.
“I need to fight and if they don’t want to fight then that’s fine, I have other targets.”
Khan could meet Danny Garcia, who knocked him out three years ago while Tim Bradley is another possibility.
“If you ask me, of course, I want a rematch,” Pacquiao is quoted as saying. “I heard that he retired already. If he really retired, then there’s no rematch.”