Amir Khan is hoping to face countryman Manny Pacquiao at the end of the year or in early 2020.
Khan is going to return on July 12th, when he faces Neeraj Goyat at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Pacquiao is going to return to the ring a week later, when he faces WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao and Khan had reached a deal to fight each other in 2017, but the fight never happened when the investors behind the event were unable to prove they were in possession of the necessary funds to make the fight happen.
Pacquiao then went forward to face Jeff Horn, in a fight where the Filipino superstar suffered a shocking upset decision loss. And Khan stayed away from the ring until 2018, after **ing surgery to correct a hand issue.
At one time, Pacquiao and Khan were sparring partners when both boxers were trained by Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach. Khan left Roach's stable in 2012, to hook up with Virgil Hunter.
Should the Pacquiao fight come around, Khan would like to bring the bout to the Middle East.
"End of this year, early next year, I want to make a big name world title challenge and there’s a strong possibility it could be here in Saudi Arabia against Pacquiao,’ claims Khan who will be coached for the first time by ex-WBA super-bantam boss Clarence ‘Bones’ Adams and Alex Ariza," Khan said.
"Hopefully, Manny beats up Keith Thurman the week after my fight and we’ll see what happens. A fight between us would set-up boxing in the Middle East forever and lead to multiple championship fights taking place in the region. I intend being at the forefront."
2023-10-23 14:57:33
