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Boxing: Amir Khan announces fight with Danny Garcia

 

Pa
Wednesday 23 May 2012 11:47 BST
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Amir Khan: "The truth's come out now and it just proves that Lamont Peterson was a cheat really"
Amir Khan: "The truth's come out now and it just proves that Lamont Peterson was a cheat really" (Getty Images)

Amir Khan is set to fight WBC light-welterweight champion Danny Garcia on July 14.

Khan revealed on his Twitter page this morning that he will face the unbeaten American in Las Vegas.

The bout has been arranged after Khan's rematch against Lamont Peterson for the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles, which was due to be staged earlier this month, was cancelled after Peterson failed a drug test.

"May the best man win on 14 July. Khan vs Garcia," Khan tweeted.

Garcia poses a major challenge for Khan, with the 24-year-old boasting an unbeaten record in 23 fights including 14 knockouts.

It is still unclear which titles will be up for grabs, with Khan to wait on a hearing into whether the WBA and IBF belts he lost to Peterson in December will be returned.

Should that not happen there could be a conflict, with Garcia due to meet mandatory challenger London-based Nigerian Ajose Olusegun.

The return of Khan's belts would, however, mean his unification fight would take precedence.

The Bolton fighter fully expects that will be the case, telling Sky Sports News: "It's a great match up with the WBC title on the line.

"I don't know about the other two titles. The hearing is in the next two weeks and then the governing bodies will make their decision.

"Hopefully the hearing goes well."

Speaking about Garcia, he added: "He has quite a similar style (to Peterson). Garcia is a come-forward fighter; he has a good knockout percentage.

"It is going to be me being as the boxer again. I'll have to be smart, hit, move and try and be one step ahead of him all the time.

"My little bit of experience ahead of him should work in my advantage.

"He's never lost before. It's going to be a good fight."

Garcia welcomed the fight and believes he would retain his unbeaten record, claiming Khan was over-rated.

"I feel like this is how it's supposed to be: the best versus the best, both of us in our prime and giving the fans a great fight," he told http://www.espn.com.

"I'm just happy - I feel like I have what it takes to beat this guy.

"I've watched Khan a lot. He's a good fighter, but I don't think he's what people say he is, getting all this credit.

"I feel like he will leave himself open for some big shots and we'll see if he can take them. I can box and I can punch. I'm going to hit him with stuff he won't see. I can't wait."

Khan returned to England from his Los Angeles training base following Peterson's failed test and said he would remain in his homeland for at least another week before beginning his preparations back in America.

"I've taken two weeks off, I'll probably take another week off but still do strength work," he said.

"I'll be ready so when I go back to LA I'll be ready to work hard again and work with Freddie Roach on a new game plan."

PA

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