Former eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao, 43-years-old, has signed on for an exhibition fight with French boxer Jaber Zayani.
According to the Manila Times, the contracts for the exhibition match were formally signed early last week at Pacquiao's home in Makati City.
The bout will be fought over eight rounds with eight-ounce gloves, on a date in February at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Pacquiao retired from the sport last year, a few weeks following his twelve round decision loss to Yordenis Ugas last August in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao has already signed up for a six-round exhibition match against Korean youtuber DK Yoo, which is scheduled to take place on December 10 in Seoul, South Korea.
Zayani is an undefeated lightweight contender with a record of 18-0 with 11 knockouts.
He served as Pacquiao's sparring partner in 2019, helping the Filipino superstar prepare for his title fight with Keith Thurman.
Zayani has a promotional deal with Saudi Prince Al-Walid Ben Talal, who assigned Abdullah Al Murad, through Elite Sports Athletes (ESA), to handle the event.
"I personally negotiated with the senator together with my team and after months of talks, we finally agreed to a face off next year. He already signed the contract so it is a go," said Zayani to the paper.
"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'
"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. That's going to be a December Samgyup party for the senator but once he meets me inside the right, he's going to get French toasted."