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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Martin Domin

Boxing news: Amir Khan reveals next opponent - and you've probably never heard of him

Amir Khan will take on Neeraj Goyat in his next fight as he takes boxing to Saudi Arabia.

The former world champion will return to the ring for the first time since he lost to Terence Crawford.

Khan will face India's Goyat - who has won 11 of his 16 fights - on July 12 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

No details have been announced regarding the number of rounds, the weight division, or indeed if the fight is an exhibition.

Khan said: "This is an exciting challenge that I have ahead of me. It will be the first time a British Pakistani will fight an Indian boxer, which eventually will bring the two nations together.

Amir Khan lost to Terence Crawford last month (REUTERS)

"I would like to thank the Saudi government and General Sports Authority for giving me this opportunity and I’m a firm believer in sport being a great healer."

Goyat : "This opportunity is as big as it gets for me. Everything that I have achieved to date wouldn’t matter when I enter the ring on July 12 taking on a seasoned, established superstar in Amir Khan.

"I will be carrying the hopes of 1.2 billion on my shoulders who will expect me to bring the title by causing an upset."

The fight will pit Khan, of Pakistan heritage, against India's Goyat.

The 27-year-old has lost three times, twice to debutants and has only beaten five fighters with winning records.

Khan will take on Neeraj Goyat next (Neeraj Goyat/Instagram)

Khan was losing his fight against the unbeaten Crawford in New York when he was caught with a low blow in the sixth round.

Rather than take advantage of the five minutes he was allowed to recover, the Brit threw in the towel.

He dismissed talk of retiring and had been expected to re-open negotiations with bitter rival Kell Brook.

But instead he will take on Goyat in a fight promoted as "transcending cultural boundaries [and] capturing the imaginations of the millions."

 
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