Amir Khan could face Manny Pacquiao in next fight

Amir Khan is hopeful his next fight will take place in late November or early December, but is open to waiting for Manny Pacquiao to return to the ring. Khan, 28, last fought in May when he eased past Chris Algieri and had been focusing his attention on securing a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr, a clash the Brit has been chasing for 18 months.

Mayweather however has settled on a meeting with Andre Berto on 12 September in what is to be his final professional bout, leaving Khan to mull over other options across the welterweight division. In a recent interview with MMA Hour, Khan spoke of possible rematches with Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson, in addition to a meeting with Keith Thurman. But the former two-time world champion is still in the process of deciding upon an opponent with his advisor Al Haymon and is hopeful of returning to the ring before the end of the year.

"[I'll be back] probably late November or earlier December," Khan told Boxing News. "To be honest, we have been waiting on Floyd Mayweather so we haven't been looking at anyone else. Since [confirmation of Mayweather's fight with Berto] I haven't really had the chance to speak to Al Haymon."

Talk of a meeting between Khan and Pacquiao has reignited in recent weeks, with the Filipino's promoter Bob Arum recently telling the Daily Telegraph the fight is a real possibility. Arum has since added Pacquiao will be the one to decide whether the fight takes place.

The 36 year old is currently recovering from surgery after suffering a torn rotator cuff before his May showdown with Mayweather and is not expected to return to the ring until next year.

Khan has indicated he is willing to wait for that fight. "Listen, the Amir Khan-Manny Pacquiao fight has been talked about and could happen early next year – that could be next. At the moment I am keeping my options open."