Former world champion Amir Khan (31-4, 19 KOs) is looking to make some big statements in the welterweight division.
Last week, Khan announced his ring return for April 21 at Echo Arena in Liverpool.
Khan signed a three fight agreement with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, with a clear goal to go for a world title sooner than later.
Khan will be coming off a two year layoff, after seeing action in May 2016 in his last fight.
He moved up to a catch-weight of 155-pounds, and was knocked out by then WBC middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
At the moment, Khan's sole goal is to conquer to the ranks at 147-pounds.
“I’m a welterweight fighter,” Khan said to Boxing News. “This is where I can win a world title and I want all of those belts. I won titles at light welterweight and the goal is to become a two-weight champion.”
The current champions are Keith Thurman (WBC, WBA), Jeff Horn (WBO) and Errol Spence (IBF). All three of the champions have fights coming up, with Spence defending this coming Saturday against Lamont Peterson in Brooklyn.
A big part of the reason for Khan's long layoff was the boxer's focus to eradicate his long-standing hand issues. He underwent surgery several times in 2016 and that kept out of the gym for quite a while.
He expects to have no further hand issues upon returning.
“I think the hand is going to fine but, yes, I’m nervous about it [the hand],” Khan continued. “The nerves can’t get me down, I can’t let them affect me. I’ve been punching the bag with it and it feels a lot better than it did before. But it’s all psychological as well isn’t it?
“Three times they opened my hand up in three operations. It’s all about time, now I have to get in the ring and test it. But I know, even if it were to break, I would still fight, I will fight through the pain.”
2023-10-20 08:12:07
