By Eoin Mundow

Inb our latest interview with WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan, we talk about Manny Pacquiao's dominating performance against Antonio Margarito, Khan's strategy for the upcoming defense against Marcos Maidana on December 11, what it's like to train with Pacquiao, and much more.

Manny put on a spectacular performance by totally dominating a much large Antonio Margarito. Does it give you extra confidence training with such a prolific boxer?

Definitely. Training with Manny Pacquiao is an honour and I think what he’s done in the sport we won’t ever see that again. Become an eight-division world champion and moving up from 108 lbs to 151 lbs is a big jump. But yeah it good for your confidence knowing that you are working with someone like him who won convincingly to a guy who has a very similar style to the guy I’m fighting. You know I’m going to use the same tactics that Manny used and I think it just shows that Freddie Roach our trainer, the skills and tactics he gives to the fighters is the right move because he gives you exactly the right instructions. 

So Freddie will switch things up so you have a plan A, B, C and D when you face Maidana?

That’s right, Freddie knows exactly what we have to do. Freddie knows what moves to do and make in the fight, so we know exactly how to beat this guy Maidana. Maidana is going to be a tough guy, Maidana is going to be like Margarito, stood in front of me and he’s going to take a lot of punishment. For him it’s a big opportunity and for me it’s a big opportunity because I want to keep hold of my belt, I want to make a big name for myself in America. I don’t only want to win this fight but I want to win it in good style. 

I hear that you're sparring went really with Manny. Freddie even said you got the better of him in a couple of the sessions. The previous time you sparred was two years ago?

The first time we sparred was two years ago and then just now, so there was a big gap between. But it just shows how I’ve come on and how much I’ve progressed under Freddie Roach and training along Manny Pacquiao has made me a better fighter.

How would you assess these sparring sessions? Does it surprise you how much you have come on since you joined Freddie and has it been a slow process?

Definitely I see a big difference myself, how much I’ve got stronger, how skilful I’ve become and I see it all myself and it just gives you confidence that you are doing the right things.  

It’s impossible that you would face Manny in the future as you have the same trainers, is that right?

I would never fight Manny as we have the same trainers, we train together that fight will never happen. But it’s just an honour, it’s great to just spend time with him and train with because Manny is just one of the best fighters in the world pound for pound. If I can do half of what Manny Pacqauio has done then I’m happy with that.

Eoin Mundow covers sports for SEEN Sport Magazine