Amir Khan, the British former two-time world boxing champion, hinted at a potential comeback to the ring against Philippino champion Manny Pacquiao last weekend in Saudi Arabia prior to the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.
As the MENA ambassador for WOW HYDRATE, Amir Khan(34-6, 21 KO wins, 5 KO losses) attended the event to support longtime brand sponsor Tyson Fury(34-0-1, 24 KOs). Among the other notable people on the carpet were Ronaldo and Manny Pacquiao(62-8-2, 39 KO wins, 3 KO losses).
Many consider 44-year-old boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao to be one of the greatest fighters in history because he is the only boxer in history to win twelve major world titles in eight different weight classes.
Both Khan and the currently retired fighter would undoubtedly draw enormous global attention if they faced up in Riyadh, and they have both shown interest in the prospect.
“You do itch, and you want to get in the ring after seeing an atmosphere like this. There's a lot of talk about me doing one more fight. We've got Manny Pacquiao here as well and he's itching to fight again as well. So, who knows? He's a great dance partner and it would interest me, but nothing's been signed. We've had a small talk about it. But I've left it at that. If it happens, it happens," said Khan in an exclusive interview, noting the excitement in Riyadh before the Tyson vs. Ngannou bout.
Under the direction of its Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia has become a dominant force in the boxing world.
The kingdom has become a global boxing powerhouse thanks to its hosting of some of the greatest fights in the Middle East, which has attracted the attention of elite promoters, boxers, and fans. Khan's support of Saudi Arabia as a boxing destination highlights the nation's notable advancements in the sport.
“What Saudi needs now is one of their own champions, and the way you do that is by building academies,” said Khan.
Khan intends to open his own boxing school in Saudi Arabia with the goal of teaching boxing techniques as well as the fundamental principles of self-control, commitment, and physical fitness that are key to the sport.
He claims that by developing young talent from the ground up, he hopes to promote fitness and health while laying the groundwork for future champions created in the Kingdom.
Khan has had more time to pursue other business endeavors since retiring, the most recent of which was an investment in the WOW HYDRATE sports drink company. The brand's focus on sports performance and proper hydration makes the goods a good fit for Khan's own interests.
“I've invested in WOW HYDRATE because it's close to my heart. A lot of the fighters are using the drink. Obviously when you look at the ingredients; it gives you protein, it's got electrolytes in it, it's got everything that a boxer or sportsman needs. I like this. It tastes good as well. It ticks the boxes,” added Khan.
(Additional reporting provided by Joseph Hammond)
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