Khan Wants Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia

Fresh off his win over Billy Dib in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Amir Khan has thoughts of a bigger-named opponent for a sequel bout in the country — the legendary boxing icon and current WBA (Regular) Middleweight Champion Manny Pacquiao.

Khan easily defeated Dib, a usual lightweight competing at welterweight, on July 12, dropping him twice within four rounds before the referee waved off the fight. It was Khan’s first fight since losing to Terence Crawford at New York’s Madison Square Garden — a fight which saw Khan withdraw during a break he was given for being hit with a low blow.

Khan was widely criticized for his April loss to Crawford, and it is uncertain if Khan will secure another big-name fight — other than a potential anticipated showdown with British rival Kell Brook. But the former light welterweight champ feels he can still hang with the best at 147 lbs., and he wants to battle the legendary eight-division boxing champion.

Khan added he’d love for such a fight to take place in Saudi Arabia as well.

“We want the Manny Pacquiao fight, let’s hope he comes to Saudi Arabia,” Khan said. “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. We had to work on a strategy, I slowed myself down a little bit instead of rushing all the time. I was seeing everything, making sure I was putting in the right shots, I felt very comfortable in there.”

Original Story: Boxing Scene