Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who gave up boxing last year to run for president of the Philippines, said on Tuesday that he is thinking about having an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia in January.

The 43-year-old renowned former world champion will undertake negotiations in Riyadh for a matchup with former sparring partner Jaber Zayani of France.

“We will just start discussions,” said Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao has revealed that he’s in talks for an exhibition fight with his former sparring partner Jaber Zayani in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in January. Pacquiao is already set for an exhibition with YouTuber and martial artist DK Yoo in Seoul, South Korea on Dec 10th. [@AFP]

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 7, 2022

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Just over a month ago, Jeddah witnessed one of the biggest boxing bouts in this part of the world, which saw Anthony Joshua take on Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua eventually lost to a split verdict on points.

So, yes Saudi Arabia is becoming a hub for boxing of sorts, so having a fight of a legend such as Pacquiao here is a natural progression of sorts.

Pacquiao is currently training for an exhibition fight against South Korean martial arts YouTuber, DK Yoo, that will take place on Dec. 10.

 

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The organizers say that money raised from the exhibition will mostly go towards rebuilding war-ravaged Ukraine.

Pacquiao is about to follow in the footsteps of his former adversary, Floyd Mayweather, who calls himself the “pioneer of exhibitions.”