Amir Khan looks set to face Manny Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia later this year.
Khan held a press conference at his Bolton gym this afternoon following his WBC international welterweight win over Billy Dib at the weekend, that also took place in Saudi Arabia.
40-year old Pacquiao is due to face WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman this Saturday in Las Vegas. Thurman only returned to the ring in January following 2-years out with a broken ankle.
Khan told Dominic McGuinness at today's event that the fight with Pacquiao will happen on November 8th in Saudi Arabia regardless of the outcome of Pacquiao's clash with Thurman. Both fighters are said to have signed contracts to seal the deal.
Speaking earlier this week, Thurman said he wants to make a statement this weekend at the MGM Grand Arena, "I don't see Pacquiao winning a round. I'm going to hit him early, remind him of that [knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez], and I'm pretty sure he's going to be very cautious.
"So after I give him a reminder with my punches, we'll see how he ends up fighting in this bout."
Khan's stoppage of Dib in Jeddah was the 34th victory over his rollercoaster career, and managed to pocket the Bolton fighter a reported £7m in the process. Speaking to Talksport after that bout, Khan made no secret of his desire to face Pacquiao, "We want the Manny Pacquiao fight, let's hope he comes to Saudi Arabia.
"Hopefully we come back again at the end of the year and bring Manny Pacquiao here.
"I felt very comfortable in there. Obviously having a new trainer, Bones Adams."
Khan and Pacquiao are no strangers to one another having sparred together while both were trained by Roach a decade ago. That was in the lead-in to Khan's TKO victory over Dmitriy Salita in Newcastle.
Speaking at the time, Roach said of Khan "I think his future is endless", and while neither are at the peak of their powers, the November 8 bout in Saudi Arabia should prove a money-spinner for all concerned.
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