Super Boxing League promoter Bill Dosanjh on Friday announced that global boxing superstar Amir Khan will take on Indian pro-boxer Neeraj Goyat in what promises to be one of the most anticipated bouts in recent history. The blockbuster battle will be held in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 12th July, 2019 with a championship title on line.
Khan, a two-time World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist will take on the Indian pro at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah – nicknamed the “The Shining Jewel” in a fight that promises to deliver the thrill and excitement that comes with the presence of the British pro in the ring.
“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. I would like to thank the Saudi government, Jeddah Seasons and General Sports Authority for giving this opportunity and I am a firm believer in sports being a great healer. I would like to thank the Saudi government and General Sports Authority for giving this opportunity. It will be the first time a British Pakistani will fight an Indian boxer, which eventually will bring the two nations together. Both fighters just wanna get in there and get the fight on, for me Neeraj is a fighter.” said Khan.
Khan has thrilled the boxing world with his exhilarating all-action style since he burst onto the world stage at just 17 when he heroically battled his way to a Silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In a stunning 38-fight professional career, Khan has become a Two-Time World Champion and has faced some of the very finest boxers and pound-for-pound best of his generation, including Marcos Maidana, Zab Judah, Danny Garcia, Saul Alvarez and in his last fight Terence Crawford.
Khan’s rival, Goyat defeated Mexico’s Carlos Lopez Marmolejo via unanimous decision in a contest at the Danforth Music Hall earlier in April in Toronto. Goyat, who is the WBC Asia welterweight title-holder, has a record of 11 wins including two knockouts, three losses and two draws till date.
“This opportunity is as big as it gets for me. Everything that I have achieved till 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 1.2bn on my shoulders who will expect me to bring the title by causing an upset,” admitted Neeraj Goyat.
The welterweight boxer is a trailblazer in India. The Haryana-lad is a pioneer in helping to establish professional boxing in India. He left behind a highly successful amateur career to pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer and show the world that India can be a new super-power in world boxing. To that end he has fought in numerous countries, including China, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico and Canada and currently holds the WBC Asian crown.
”Eventually, sports like boxing has generated fascination. For a country like India, I believe it is one of the biggest fights as it is the battle of two nation for the sake of building peace. Rest Amir Khan is the one who believes in taking the risk so I can say it will be the tough competition. In last I would like to thanks the Saudi government and sports authorities to make this happen.” Said Bill Dosanjh, Promoter Super Boxing League.
The fight is an important event taking place during Saudi seasons that will run from 8 June-18 July that aims to transform the Kingdom into one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. It is officially endorsed by the Saudi General Sports Authority (GSA) and fits into the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Strategy, which was launched in April 2016 to rapidly modernize the country.
The Kingdom is quickly becoming a major hub for international sporting events.
In early 2018, Saudi Arabia held its first international motorsport event, the two-day Race of Champions. It then staged its first international boxing event, when the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight final took place in Jeddah in September. Following on from this, The Kingdom hosted Neymar and his footballing superstar compatriots when Brazil faced Argentina in the “Superclasico de las Americas” in October. In December, the Formula E season kicked off with a memorable race around Ad Dirriyah.
Since the turn of the year, The Kingdom has hosted the Italian Super Cup clash between Series A Champions Juventus and AC Milan, and the inaugural Saudi International golf tournament, which saw the world’s top players, including Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose, compete at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.
This momentum will be taken to a bold new height when Amir Khan steps between the ropes in Jeddah, thanks to the efforts taken by Jeddah Seasons and General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia.