Amir Khan, who hasn’t fought since a May 2016 knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez, will be getting back into the ring on April 21, the first of a three-fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
The 31-year-old Khan (31-4, 19 KO) will face an opponent to be determined at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, his first fight in the United Kingdom since a 2013 win over Julio Diaz in Sheffield.
“I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Matchroom,” said Khan. “This decision is not one I’ve taken lightly, as I’m at a hugely important time in my career, but having spoken to Eddie at length, it was clear he and I were on the same page in terms of what I want to be doing and what I still want to achieve. I’m determined to win another world championship and I’m confident I’ve got the right team behind me to help me do so.
“Just as important a factor was the opportunity to fight in the UK for the first time in five years, and to do so with the support of the British fans and Sky Sports behind me. British boxing is in such a good place and I genuinely can’t wait to get back in that ring with the incredible home support behind me.”
Hearn has big plans for Khan, including several names we’ve heard Khan linked with in the past.
“The plan is to box in April and then again in August or September in preparation for a super fight in winter 2018,” Hearn said. “The target is to provide him with the biggest fights possible with a mouth-watering list of names including the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Kell Brook, Keith Thurman and Errol Spence. I’m excited to get started and looking forward to a huge night of boxing on April 21.”
How much do you expect from Khan at this point? He’s not old, but he’s certainly not getting younger, and a two-year break at this stage in his career probably wasn’t the best thing for his in-ring career going forward, right? Or maybe it’s refreshed him, and he’ll have a renewed focus.
Of course, that sounds like “convince yourself” fighter talk, but Khan’s 31, not 38, so I’d believe it a bit more in his case. But no matter what any of us think, he’s back on April 21.