The fight-fans are craving to see ? Manny Pacquiao versus England?s Amir Khan ? is under negotiations for April 23 in Dubai, the Filipino fighter?s camp said yesterday.
Two days after the British media reported that Pacquiao and Khan are facing off on May 20 in Bolton or Manchester, Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz said they ?are in talks with Khan.?
?We did a poll on social media recently and Amir had the biggest number of votes from fight fans. He was the runaway winner,? said Koncz.
?If we get a deal in place, this fight will give the fans the fight they want to see,? he said.
It is believed that Pacquiao?s camp is training its sights on Dubai since the Emirates has more to offer than Australia, which is dangling local boy Jeff Horn as an opponent.
Almost two weeks ago, Koncz even went to the United Arab Emirates and held a press conference announcing the Pacquiao fight there.
?We made a commitment to Dubai to fight there,? said Koncz, stressing that if Dubai pulls it off, it will open up more chances for it to play host to big fights.
?It will be a tremendous opportunity for Dubai to show what they?ve got,? added Koncz.
Pacquiao and Khan are immensely popular in the UAE, according to Koncz.
?I remember when we went there for an official function three years ago and I saw how popular Manny is.?
Even Khan, who has Pakistani lineage, has a solid fanbase in the UAE, being a Muslim.
?Amir goes there frequently,? added Koncz.
Pacquiao beat Jessie Vargas in his last fight in November, 2017 while Khan was knocked out cold by Sauul ?Canelo? Alvarez in his previous outing six months earlier.
Still, Pacquiao and Khan have a storied rivalry as their countless sparring sessions five years ago were intense and action-packed as Khan was still under Freddie Roach.
