Manny Pacquiao’s team have denied reports a deal has been struck to fight Amir Khan after the Brit claimed contracts had been signed for the pair to face off in Saudi Arabia later this year.
Khan (34-5, 21 KOs) produced a fourth round stoppage of former featherweight world champion Billy Dib in Jeddah last weekend to take the WBC international welterweight title.
During a news conference following his return to the UK, Khan told the media that both parties had signed for a Nov. 8 clash in the Saudi Arabian capital, but Pacquiao’s representatives have since told ESPN this is not the case.
“I don’t speak for Amir Khan but the senator has a fight scheduled on July 20 against Keith Thurman and has signed no fights past fighting Keith Thurman,” Sean Gibbons, president of MP promotions told Dan Rafael.
“He knows nothing about this supposed fight in Saudi Arabia. I am also unaware. It’s never been discussed.”
After stopping Dib, Khan set his sights on Pacquiao, who takes on Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the WBA super welterweight title on Saturday night.
And earlier on Tuesday, Khan told reporters the contest was “signed”, though he added the contest may not happen should Pacquiao suffer defeat against Thurman on Saturday.
“The next fight is going to be back in Saudi Arabia, it is going to be in Riyadh this time and it is going to be on November 8,” Khan said.
“Hopefully it could be the Manny Pacquiao fight, we have both signed and the fight is done and hopefully he gets past his fight on the weekend then we go and do that fight.
“If not there will be other back-up plans but we wish Manny Pacquiao all the very best for this weekend’s fight.
“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 and Pacquiao have previously sparred together under the guidance of Freddie Roach, but Khan insists he would put his relationship with the eight division world champion aside were they to fight.
“We are friends,” Khan added. “The respect is always there but it is a business and sometimes friends have to fight each other.
“Once you are in the ring you switch on, it is the same with Manny Pacquiao, we have to go in there and see who the best is.”
ESPN’s Dan Rafael contributed to this report