Amir Khan VS Manny Pacquiao | bout confirmed?
Amir Khan claims to have agreed a deal to fight much decorated Filipino fighter, Manny Pacquiao on 08th November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Amir Khan has claimed that he and Manny Pacquiao have signed up for a fight and are targeting a meeting in Saudi Arabia later this year.
A proposed fight between the two fell through in 2017, which now seems to come to reality on November 08th and for now the 40 year old fighter, Pacquiao is scheduled and in hopes to unify his title against the organization’s “super” belt holder Keith Thurman on July 20th in Las Vegas.
“Signed off and done, to get Manny Pacquiao is amazing. To have him sign that dotted line is brilliant. No matter how he does against Thurman I still think it’s a big fight.” Khan said.
However, where The King, Khan claims this boutas "signed off and done" following his stoppage win over Australia's Billy Dib in the Middle East on last Saturday.
But Pacquiao's spokesperson Fred Sternberg says that Manny has not signed any contract.
"As far as I know it hasn't been even discussed," Sternberg informed.
Khan emphasized Pacquiao has "signed" for the fight, although he was uncertain how things may play out if Thurman was to pursue any rematch with the Filipino in the event he loses his WBA super-welterweight title on coming Saturday.
"I hope it is him but we will have to look at back-up plans. I've always wanted to fight him. It's the biggest fight out there for me." Khan added.
But Sternberg said his man is solely focused on Thurman.
"He's been in training camp for the past eight weeks, four in the Philippines and four in the States, and he hasn't met with Amir Khan during that time."
He also said he did not know where Khan's claims had come from and said,
"That's a question you need to ask Amir Khan".
Pacquiao is the favourite to see off Thurman on Saturday night but Khan believes their bout penciled in for later in the year would still happen if the 40-year-old was to lose at the MGM Grand. To which Khan said,
“If he gets injured or loses, what happens there? I still think, even if he loses, it is a very big fight in the Middle East, there has been so much talk about it for many years. I just feel that Manny is himself and doesn’t get any injuries and the fight can happen.”
Since returning to the sport after almost two years out of the ring in April 2018, Khan has three wins and lost a controversial world-title shot against Terence Crawford when he was pulled out by his corner after a low blow.
The King has recently demolished Billy Dib at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah and is believed to have pocketed £7 million for the easy night's work.
Amir and Manny, both have spent years working together in the US under the tutelage of legendary trainer Freddie Roach in his California gym, sparring several rounds at the Wildcard Boxing Club.
Pacquiao holds a record of 61 wins, seven defeats and two draws in a 24-year professional career while Khan has 34 wins and five defeats to his name.
