Amir Khan during a media workout in Bolton, England. Photo: Reuters
Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/boxing/article/3016120/manny-pacquiao-and-amir-khan-reach-verbal-agreement-fight-november Boxing
Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan ‘reach verbal agreement’ to fight in November
- British boxer claims there is ‘strong possibility’ the fight will happen in Saudi Arabia at the end of this year or early 2020
- ‘Hopefully Manny beats up Keith Thurman the week after my fight,’ says Khan, who faces WBC Asian champion Neeraj Goyat in Jeddah on July 12
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao leaves his house in the morning to jog with fans and friends in Los Angeles, where he is training for his fight against Keith Thurman. Photo: AFP
Amir Khan has claimed he has reached a “verbal agreement” to fight Manny Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia in November.
The Filipino icon challenges for Keith Thurman’s WBA super welterweight belt in Las Vegas on July 20, while Britain’s Khan takes on WBC Asian champion Neeraj Goyat of India in Jeddah on July 12.
“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,” Khan was quoted as saying in The Daily Telegraph after a media session in Jeddah. “Hopefully, Manny beats up Keith Thurman the week after my fight. Then we’ll see what happens.
“A fight between us would set up boxing in the Middle East forever. It could lead to multiple championship fights taking place in the region. I intend to be at the forefront.”
Pacquiao and Khan are ex-training partners under Freddie Roach, and they frequently sparred at the Wildcard Boxing Gym in Los Angeles.
A welterweight fight between them had been agreed in 2017 before the deal collapsed.
Manny Pacquiao during a training session at Wild Card Boxing in Los Angeles, where he used to spar with Amir Khan. Photo: AFP
“I’m only interested in big fights and Pacquiao would definitely be a big fight,” Khan was quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror.
“There’s been lots of talk about me and Manny fighting for years, going back to when we were together under Freddie,” said the former unified light-welterweight champion.
“It’s a fight I’d love and now it looks like it will finally happen.”
Amir Khan after being knocked down against Terence Crawford. Photo: Reuters
The 32-year-old Khan is looking for a quick turnaround after his WBO welterweight title fight with Terence Crawford ended in bizarre fashion in April.
Khan’s corner pulled him out after an accidental low blow in the sixth round at Madison Square Garden, though he had already been floored in the first round.
“I want to get back in the mix,” Khan said. “That’s why I took this fight so soon after Crawford. Hopefully, he’ll win, I’ll win and we can make it happen. I know I haven’t got long left and I want to make the most of what’s left of my career.”