Amir Khan (33-5) heads to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to take on former two weight world champion and late replacement Billy Dib (45-5) for the WBC International welterweight title.
Afight was originally scheduled between Khan and Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat (11-3-2), however that fight fell through with Goyat left injured after a car crash. The fight will take place at the King Abdullah Sport City stadium this Friday and be available to fight fans on Channel 5 in Britain. Heavyweight Hughie Fury (22-2) will be on the nights undercard as he takes on Samuel Peter (38-7)
A Farcical Fight
Amir Khan has spent most of his career chasing the modern-day greats of his era.
Both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have so far eluded Khan who has took big fights wherever he can get them.
A terrible bit of matchmaking saw Khan step up to 160lbs to take on P4P star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, only to be rendered unconscious in vicious yet predictable fashion.
Most recently he fought arguably the P4P number one fighter in the world, Terence Crawford. Khan came away beaten and embarrassed.
After being truly out boxed for the first time in his career many believe Khan quit as he refused to continue after taking a low blow.
With his latest loss Khan is facing scrutiny for not only his chin but for his heart and this fight will not help repair his damaged reputation.
A farcical fight between a natural, well established 147lb fighter in Khan, taking on a man who has never competed any near that weight.
The 33-year-old Australian Billy Dib previously held titles at 126lbs and 130lbs. Not only is he way undersized, he’s also way past his best.
Not since 2013 has Dib been a relevant world level boxer, despite being plucked out of obscurity to face Tevin Farmer for his Super Featherweight title last year.
Unprepared, undersized and outmatched Billy Dib has zero chance in this fight and Amir Khan will only further hurt his reputation by being involved in such a match-up.
Khan’s Cash Grab
Absolutely nothing about this fight makes sense until you hear what Amir Khan is set to earn. The Bolton born boxer is due to make £7million for what is basically an exhibition bout.
Khan is following in the footsteps of Floyd “Money” Mayweather who recently travelled to Japan and made $9millon for a one round demolition of 20-year-old kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa.
Now at 32-years-old Khan has perhaps two or three fights left. Nothing is guaranteed in retirement and with a young family to look after its understandable why he would take such a fight.
After a professional boxing career spanning almost 15-years, its hard to begrudge Amir Khan this easy pay-day. A fighter who has consistently put on big fights against the best fighters for better or worse.
The fight won’t cost UK fight fans a penny and doesn’t appear to be hampering negotiations for big fights in the near future
Khan said a fight with Manny Pacquiao is “the closest” it’s ever been whilst the long talked about fight with compatriot Kell Brook still seems a possibility before both men call it a career.
Once Friday nights cash grab is out the way lets hope we get to see one or both of these men share a ring with Amir Khan before he calls times on a long, successful and exciting career.