(CNN Philippines, September 21) — Eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is set to battle a former sparmate in an exhibition bout in Saudi Arabia early next year.
The 43-year-old Pacquiao will square off against French Jaber Zayani in a non-sanctioned eight-round match tentatively set mid-February 2023.
The deal was formally signed last week, according to multiple reports.
The 31-year-old Zayani was Pacquiao’s sparmate when the Filipino ring icon was preparing for his world welterweight title fight against American Keith Thurman in July 2019.
Zayani is an undefeated lightweight fighter with an immaculate record of 18-0, including 11 knockouts.
The former senator retired from professional boxing in September last year to focus on his bid for the Philippine presidency, just a month after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Cuban Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao also signed up for an exhibition match against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo scheduled on Dec. 10.
