Amir Khan (32-4, 20 KOs) is very eager to get in the ring with his friend and former sparring partner, Manny Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs).

For a few years the two boxers trained side by side when they were both guided by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

Khan left Roach in 2012, while Pacquiao parted ways with Roach earlier this year. 

Pacquiao returned to the ring last weekend in Malaysia, and pulled off a seven round stoppage of Lucas Matthysse to capture the WBA "regular" welterweight title.

Matthysse went down three times in the fight. It was Pacquiao's first bout in a year, and his first stoppage win since 2009.

Khan made his ring return, after a two year layoff, back in April when he blew away Phil Lo Greco in 39 seconds. He is scheduled to fight again on September 8th, against Samuel Vargas in Birmingham.

Should he win his next fight, Khan would like to get his hands on Pacquiao at the end of the year.

"All the time I say that I'm gonna fight this guy, but it never happens. To be honest I'm just gonna chill and take this fight one step at a time. If it's Manny Pacquiao then it's Manny Pacquiao. If not, there is a lot of other good fights out there," Khan told TMZ Sports.

"Its one of the bigger money fights out there, but it all depends if Manny Pacquiao's team says yes. Look, Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter. I've been around training with him for many years. But sometimes friends have to fight each other. I think it will be an explosive fight. I think it will be a great fight.

"You just have to put friendship to the side. It's business. I respect him. I think he's a great guy. He's done great things in the sport and you have to respect him for that. I respect him, but I know I can beat him."