Amir Khan's Dubai showdown sets up Pacquiao

Dubai is set to become a new boxing frontier as it prepares to stage a historic title fight in December featuring Amir Khan.

The British boxer of Pakistan origin who is a favourite in the Arab world is to challenge Devon Alexander for the American’s IBF world welterweight title, according to an exclusive report in the Daily Mail.

If Khan becomes a three-time world champion in the proposed venue of Dubai on December 7, he will propel himself towards a mega-millions super-fight with Floyd Mayweather next spring, the report added.

The enticing showdown was mapped by his US promoter during Khan's wedding in New York this weekend.

Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy, confirmed: "Amir needs one fight at welterweight, along with a title, to set up the match with Floyd. He is getting that chance against Devon, who has agreed the fight. We will be finalising and signing the contracts in the next couple of weeks."

Schaefer will then fly to Dubai next month to examine potential venues and begin the organisation of an historic event.

"We have opened discussions with the ruling family of the Emirates who have made it very clear that they are keen to put on a major boxing event. This is very exciting for Amir and all of us. If he defeats Devon, preferably in style, the next step for him would be against Floyd," he added.

On that basis Showtime, the American cable TV network who are bankrolling a record $200million-plus six-fight deal for Mayweather, are giving their seal of approval for a Khan fight.

Khan is on a comeback trail after suffering successive defeats by Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia which cost him his previous world titles.

However, the 26-year-old Khan has put his career back on track with back-to-back wins, the second in a thriller against former world champion Julio Diaz in Sheffield at the end of April.

His wedding to 20-year-old New York beauty Faryal Makhmood, their honeymoon and his religious obligation to observe Ramadan through the end of July and the beginning of August are delaying the next, now crucial, fight until December.

Dubai first attempted to stage a first big fight three years ago but negotiations for Mike Tyson to make a one-off comeback failed at the last moment when the former world heavyweight champion decided he would stay permanently retired, according to the report.

There has also been speculation on and off that Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao would also like to stage a fight in Dubai.

The eight-division world champion may have fought his last fight in the US, according to boxing promoter Bob Arum.

He is scheduled to fight American Brandon Rios in Macau, China on November 23.

Khan's proposed title showdown in Dubai could pave the way for a mega fight involving Pacquiao since there is a large following in the Middle East.

Dubai has regularly staged international boxing competitions featuring UAE's only professional 'Arabian Warrior' Eisa Al Dah who incidentally a stable mate of Amir Khan.

The Dubai International Boxing Championship has attracted American greats such as Michael Moorer.

Khan's title showdown could take sport in Dubai and the Arab world to a different level.

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