Amir Khan's former trainer Freddie Roach has advised the former WBA title holder to avoid a fight against Manny Pacquiao.

Roach, who works with Pacquiao, recently parted company with Khan as the Bolton fighter sought a change of personnel to tighten up his defence.

"I wish Amir all the best - but stay away from punchers and my guy's a puncher," livefight.com quotes the trainer as saying.

Khan has been linked with Virgil Hunter, but Roach expressed scepticism when asked if he believes a change of trainer will help boost Khan's defending.

He said: "I think technically Virgil Hunter looks like a very good trainer. But can somebody change another person? I don't think so.

"I tried for a very long time to get Amir Khan to settle down, with no success. He likes to exchange a lot - and I don't think that's gonna change."

Khan lost his last two bouts under Roach, with his defeat to Danny Garcia costing him his WBA title.