By Edward Chaykovsky

Retired ex-fighter Micky Ward, who now works as a trainer, says Amir Khan is not going to be an easy opponent for Manny Pacquiao.

There are ongoing discussions to make that fight in early 2016. The two fighters were once sparring partners when they trained side by side with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California. Khan left Roach for Virgil Hunter in 2012.

Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, is speaking with Khan's handlers and trying to work out the terms.

Ward wonders just how much Pacquiao will have left after suffering that twelve round decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2nd, dealing with post-surgery rehab for a right shoulder injury, and returning from a long layoff at the age of 37.

Even if Pacquiao is 100%, Ward sees Khan being a possible stylistic nightmare for the eight division world champion.

"I think that would be a competitive fight because who knows if Manny is gonna have the left, with his shoulder injury. Amir’s got that style that could upset him, he’s long, he has a good jab, he punches good. Who knows what Manny’s gonna have when he comes back because he’s been out for a while. It should be a competitive fight, I don’t see any kind of blow out either way," Ward told On The Ropes Boxing Radio.