Pacquiao to face French former sparmate in Saudi Arabia exhibition fight

Manny Pacquiao will make another return to the ring when he faces former French sparmate Jaber Zayani tentatively set mid-February next year in Saudi Arabia.

Zayani sparred with Pacquiao when the latter was preparing for his fight against Keith Thurman in 2019.

The deal for the exhibition match, a non-sanctioned 8-round match using 8-ounce gloves, was formally signed last week.

Zayani said he told the former senator to prepare well for the fight.

“Call it an exhibition or something but when the senator signed the deal, I told him to prepare well because I’m going to give him a real fight. He then told me, ‘you better be prepared’,” Zayani said.

The 31-year old French boxer, who has a record of 18-0 and 11 knockouts, said he considers his upcoming fight against Pacquiao as a big break.

“I was honest with the senator that I’m looking at this as my biggest break which I will surely maximize. I aim to create a buzz and become a household name. Sure, the organizers are calling this an exhibition but for me, it’s a chance to exhibit my talent as a future world champion,” he said.

Pacquiao also recently signed up for an exhibition match with Korean YouTuber DK Yoo slated on December 10.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News