Pacquiao heading to Dubai as Khan screams out for a mega fight

British welterweight Amir Khan  says he is "front-runner" to face Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in his last fight next year.

It could take in the Middle East in either Dubai or Doha who have shown interest in staging the next biggest boxing event after the May 2 'Fight of the Century'.

Khan had earlier said the match was unlikely but he believes there is a "big chance" of him fighting the eight-division world champion.

Both Pacquiao and Khan were high-profile guests during the World Amateur Boxing Championships held in Qatar earlier this month.

"I am the front-runner," Khan told BBC Sport.

"Manny Pacquiao makes a good story because we've been training partners and I've been with his coach Freddie Roach.

"There's a big chance of the fight happening, it's all about making sure my team is on point with the deal and they need to make sure they get the fight that I want."

'Pacman' plans to end his ring career with a fight on April 9 before moving on to focus on his political career, promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com earlier.

An opponent has not been named, although Arum mentioned England's Amir Khan, a former unified junior welterweight titleholder, as well as unbeaten junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford - who fights Montreal's Dierry Jean on Saturday.

Arum named Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley as other potential foes.

Snubbed by unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather who fought Andre Berto in September, Khan is eager for a duel with his former stable mate Pacquiao.

"It would be Manny Pacquiao's last fight and end his career in a big way, not like Floyd Mayweather where, no disrespect to Berto, but I think Floyd finished his career on a low note," he added.

Khan, a frequent visitor to the UAE, says the Middle East could soon host a headline professional bout.

"The Middle East has never had a big, big fight," he said.

"They've had a few decent names but no one in their prime, putting on a world title fight, so I think it's going to happen soon."

Pacquiao-mania is also expected to grip Dubai in November when the Filipino hero features in the Philipinnes Basketball Association PBC 2016 where he will lead Mahindra Enforcers as player-coach.

The boxing star is slated to open the new Go Sport store in Mall of the Emirates on November 5.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.