The United Arab Emirates and the rest of the Middle East is continuing to prove itself as a prime international venue for the world’s top sporting events. Strengthening this burgeoning claim is Manny Pacquiao as he hints a match vs Amir Khan is possible in Dubai.
The UAE, hot off the success of the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier fight, is proving that the world’s top athletes see the emirates as a top pick to settle some scores. Boxer turned politician turned boxer, Manny Pacquiao is up for a fight right here at home.
Pacquiao last put on the gloves in July when he faced again Keith Thurman, snatching away Thurman’s unbeaten record and blemishing his portfolio with a 29-1 record. As it stands, Pacquiao is 62-7-2, with his most recent loss being to Jeff Horn in 2017.
The current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion has told the world at the Dubai Sports Council that a fight with Khan is something he’s into.
The champ was prodded about a match at the Coca-Cola Arena here in Dubai, with his response being:
“I’m planning for next year; trying to make it for next year with a possible opponent. Especially Amir Khan wants to fight me. We will talk again. It would be a good fight.”
“We are negotiating for a fight in Dubai, and I am hoping that a fight can happen here in the future,” he added.
Khan, with a 34-5 record, most recently proved himself in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he won against Billy Dib. He was the WBA light-welterweight world champion from 2009 to 2012.
Rumours of the two facing off have been floating around since 2017 but nothing has ever materialised. More recently, Khan claimed there would be a fight between the two in Saudi Arabia though Pacquiao was quick to shut down that claim. Fred Sternberg, Pacquiao’s spokesperson on the matters said: “Manny has not signed any contract. As far as I know, it hasn’t even been discussed.”
Khan has recently also shown interest in a Dubai meeting, talking with Virgin Radio DXB, the athlete said had “interest” in a fight in the Middle East and that “I know I want it [a fight]”.
Upon listening to the Khan clip on Virgin Radio, Pacquiao said: “We can discuss that, a fight between us. I have a commitment for my next fight – one fight only. But after that we can talk. No problem.”
They both want to fight, they both have interest in Dubai as the place to do it, now all we can do is wait and see.
