Australia's former IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib recognises the risk of climbing two divisions to fight former former welterweight champion Amir Khan next month, but is adamant he can be competitive.
Dib has stepped in to replace India's Neeraj Goyat, who was forced out of the July 12 bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, because of injuries suffered in a car accident.
Khan (33-5, 20 KOs) and 33-year-old Dib (45-5, 26 KOs) will face off for the vacant World Boxing Council International welterweight title.
The 32-year-old Englishman, a former IBF and WBA junior welterweight champion, was stopped in his last fight by American superstar Terence Crawford, who was defending the WBO welterweight title he claimed from Australian Jeff Horn last year.
Dib's preparation for the fight has included doing rounds with Anthony Mundine, who won major titles at junior middleweight, middleweight and super middleweight divisions.
Dib was already on the Jeddah undercard and said he was in good shape and didn't have to think for too long before accepting the offer to fight Khan, despite the heavier weight division.
"'I did (have reservations) but I've sparred a lot of bigger guys throughout my career. I did a bit of work with Shane Mosley when he was a welterweight," he said.
''I've had experience with being in the ring with welterweights and I managed them just fine.
"The other day Anthony Mundine was kind enough to do a few rounds with me and I've been sparring with a young junior middleweight."
Dib's last bout back in April was at lightweight but most of his professional fights have been at featherweight, including two unsuccessful cracks at super featherweight world title.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that an opportunity like this would ever arise," Dib said.
"How can you turn it down? This is like a moment that could change your life. It's a risk worth the reward I know it's a risk and I know it's a big ask.
"I've watched Amir Khan his whole professional career closely and I believe I can be competitive against him.
Dib said he normally walked around at 67-68kg, just over the welterweight limit.
"Now I get to enjoy Mars bars rather than having to starve myself," he joked.
