Boxer Amir Khan thanks crown prince for opportunity to play in Saudi Arabia

British born Pakistani Boxer Amir Khan asks India to leave Kashmir in an interview with Arab News in Islamabad after his LOC visit, Aug. 28, 2019. (AN Photo)

• Praises Crown Prince Salman’s endeavors to promote sports activities in the Kingdom
• Won World Boxing Council welterweight title against Australia’s Billy Dib in Jeddah this July

ISLAMABAD: Former unified light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan on Wednesday thanked Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for giving him the opportunity to fight in Saudi Arabia, and praised his endeavors to promote sports activities in the Kingdom. 
The boxer is currently in Pakistan. In July, he won the World Boxing Council international welterweight title by knocking out Australia’s Billy Dib at the inaugural Fight Night in Jeddah. 
That fight, part of a series of events at Jeddah’s Season Festival, was only the second mega boxing event of it’s kind in Saudi Arabia, following last year’s fight in which British boxers Callum Smith and George Groves competed for the Muhammad Ali Trophy in Jeddah. 
Khan has been vocal about his hopes that the Keddah event would catapult boxing to the center stage in the Middle East and make him the face of the sport in the region.
“I think [Crown Prince] Muhammad Bin Salman is an amazing person who has supported me in my fight in Saudi Arabia,” Khan told Arab News in an interview on Wednesday. “I am very happy that he helped me. He has given me the opportunity.” 
Khan said he had played in many parts of the world but had always dreamt of playing in the Middle East and Asia. 
“I always wanted to fight in the Middle East and Asia. I got this chance as KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] made this happen,” he said. “I want to thank the Saudi government for making this happen. I know it was Muhammad Bin Salman behind all this, for having me fight in Saudi Arabia. We have a great performance there, it was great entertainment.”
The internationally acclaimed British boxer said he was looking forward to a big match between unified world heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua to be held on December 7, 2019, at a custom-built venue in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. 
“Everyone is very happy,” Khan said. “We can’t wait to go there (Saudi Arabia) at the end of the year.”