VIDEO: Pacquiao drops hints of fight with Amir in Dubai next year

Filipino boxing legend and politician Manny Pacquiao insists he still has a few bouts left as the eight-division world champion plans a 2020 return to the ring with Britain’s Amir Khan most likely his next opponent and Dubai the venue for the bout.

Both were scheduled to have a bout in Dubai in 2017, but talks failed to materialise.

Dreams of thousands and thousands of fans and the Filipino community based in the UAE to see Pacquiao fighting in the emirate could now turn into reality as the star boxer hinted at having talks with Khan again for the possible showdown in Dubai.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao, who scored a stirring unanimous decision victory over American Keith Thurman for the WBA super-welterweight title last July, said that he would love to have a bout in Dubai next year.

“I can still fight and have no intentions of retiring soon,” said Pacquiao, founder of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) which will make its first international foray in the Middle East.

Amir bounced back from his defeat to Terence Crawford in April by winning the WBC international welterweight title after stopping Billy Dib in Jeddah in July.

“I’m planning a fight for next year with a possible opponent. Especially Amir wants to fight me. We will have talks again to hold a bout in Dubai and it would be a good fight,” said the Philippine senator.

Pacquiao launched the MPBL in 2017, which has since grown from 10 teams to 31.

The current WBA welterweight champion will feature in an exhibition match on each day of the action, with three MPBL teams — inaugural champions Batangas City Athletics, Imus Bandera and Davao Occidental Tigers – contesting regular-season games across the two days at the Hamdan Sports complex on Sept.27-28.

“This is our first time to bring MPBL overseas and we plan to make it memorable not just for us but for the 700,000-strong Filipino community here,” said Pacquiao on Thursday during the press conference held at Dubai Sports Council headquarters.

“Personally, I am really excited to play in front of our Kababayans here. They are used to seeing me inside the boxing ring. But for this special event, I will showcase my basketball skills as well. I am inviting all my Kababayans and other nationalities to come out and watch us play.

“It’s really a great opportunity to showcase to them live the Philippine brand of basketball and we really cannot wait to put on a show in front of our Kababayans.”

Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: “This is Manny Pacquiao’s second visit to Dubai Sports Council and we are honoured to have him back.

“We are also delighted to support his new basketball venture, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

“We are happy he has decided to bring his league here to Dubai for the entertainment of our sports-loving Filipino expatriate community in the UAE. Basketball is a very popular sports in the Philippines and fans here will be able to see MPBL’s top three teams in action,” he added.

“The Hamdan Sports Complex is a great venue for the tournament. It has hosted many top international events in the past, involving many different sports.

“We are always open to hosting and supporting new events that appeal to all the different segments of our diverse community. And we are looking forward to two days of exciting basketball matches and big crowds at Hamdan Sports Complex.”

Popular Filipino actors Gerald Anderson of Imus Bandera and Derek Ramsay of Batangas City are also expected to gain a fair share of the limelight in the course of the two-day basketball showpiece made possible by the Dubai Sports Council and Hamdan Sports Complex.

“It is with great pride and honour to welcome the entire MPBL delegation, led by Senator Manny Pacquiao, here in Dubai,” said Dunstan Rozario, Chairman of DJMC Events.

“He’s the living legend of Philippine sports and we’re humbled to partner with him for this great event. We look forward to a spectacular weekend.”

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor