AMIR Khan may be focused on starting on a boxing boom in the Middle East but insists he will never rule out fighting in Bolton.

The 32-year-old takes on Billy Dib in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia tonight with a potential clash with Manny Pacquiao in the Gulf to follow later in the year.

But the prospect of staging a major fight in his hometown - most likely at the University of Bolton Stadium - is always on the former world champion's mind.

As well as Pacquiao, a long awaited domestic clash with Kell Brook continues to be talked about, a meeting with his Sheffield rival the kind of night that would command a big crowd at the home of Bolton Wanderers.

"Definitely. Bolton is always there, I would love to fight in Bolton," said Khan.

“I was at the stadium the other week when Rod Stewart was there and it was a full stadium.

“It got me thinking that if I was to fight here it would be like this.

“To have 25,000 people there would be amazing. You never know.

“Maybe the next fight could be in Bolton if the deal is right?”

First things first, Khan must get past Dib.

The Australian former world champion is a late replacement for unheralded Indian Neeraj Goyat and is jumping up three weight classes to take the fight at short notice.

There has been plenty of criticism of the level of opposition Khan is facing for a reported £7 million purse.

But the Bolton star has brushed all that aside as he looks to rebound from April's defeat to WBO World welterweight champion Terence Crawford.

“I think I deserve a chilled fight after the Crawford fight," said Olympic silver medallist Khan.

“I think this is a fight which is a tune-up, but also opens up new avenues for me, especially in Saudi Arabia.

“I saw the World Boxing Super Series over there and thought fighting would be amazing.

“I am going to fight there myself and to fight in Jeddah, the holy city, the holy country.

"The only time I normally go to Saudi Arabia is to do my pilgrimage.

“This time I’m going there to fight and I can’t wait.

“I know Saudi for going there to do my pilgrimage and come home.  This time I'm training there and fighting there.

“I will be switched on and 100 per cent focused because I want to put on a good performance, especially after the last one.”

The fight from Jeddah is live on Channel 5 with coverage starting from 9pm tonight.

Hughie Fury, who has trained at the Team Fury gym on Halliwell Road in Bolton, takes on former world title challenger Samuel Peter on the undercard.