Khan vs Pacquiao, Floyd vs Khabib; mate, who is up for a fight?

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Khan vs Pacquiao, Floyd vs Khabib; mate, who is up for a fight?

Dubai - Meanwhile, Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion, is currently preparing for the world title fight against Keith Thurman to be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 20

By James Jose

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Published: Thu 18 Jul 2019, 11:43 PM

Last updated: Fri 19 Jul 2019, 2:11 AM

In the grand theatre of boxing, an intriguing soap opera is being played out, as we speak. And it involves three of the biggest names in the world of boxing and a top MMA star.
And they are British-Asian champion Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines, the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr and UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Moments after knocking off Australian Billy Dib with a fourth-round stoppage to win the WBC international welterweight title in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last weekend, 'King' Khan spoke about his long-cherished dream of fighting Pacquiao.
Khan has been wanting to have a go at his former sparring partner, for a few years now, and the news gathered speed with the 32-year-old claiming, according to certain reports from Britain that a deal had already been struck with Pacquiao for a bout in the Kingdom on November 8.
But it just isn't as simple as that. There is a further twist to the tale with Pacquiao's camp saying nothing has been inked yet, going as far as saying that it hasn't been discussed at all.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion, is currently preparing for the world title fight against Keith Thurman to be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 20.
Saudi Arabia, as well as the UAE, especially Dubai, has been mooted as possible venues for a fight like this, considering the large expat population in the region.
There are millions from the subcontinent as well as from the Philippines, who have made the UAE and Saudi Arabia, their home. In fact, Khan and Pacquiao's presence is such that it has transcended borders.
 
"For both of us, it would be a massive fight globally," Khan had said in an interview in Dubai, back in May. "Maybe in Dubai? That would be amazing, as Dubai would be a good location as there are a lot of Filipinos, Pakistanis and British here. A lot of fans will turn up, anyway," he had added.
 
And while this is still up in the air, things get even more interesting with Pacquiao, also a senator in his native country, is spoiling for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
 
The 40-year-old had lost to Mayweather back in 2015, in one of the most lucrative fights in boxing history. Pacquiao is keen on taking him on again but the American ace, who holds an astonishing 50-0 record with 27 KOs, isn't interested, at least, at the moment.
 
What Mayweather Jr. is apparently interested in is a fight against UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov. A report in the Daily Mail said that Mayweather Jr. wants a fight against the Russian champ, on the lines of the bout between Khabib and Irishman Conor McGregor that took place in 2017.
 
But Khabib's team said that the MMA ace isn't interested, at the moment.
 
Khabib is set to square off against American Dustin Poirier in UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7.
 
All in all, it is not the last we have heard on the matter.
 
james@khaleejtimes.com
 


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