Boxing: Khan announces Birmingham bout

Amir Khan has announced his next fight will take place on 21 June at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena. It will be the Commonwealth and World Boxing Organisation Intercontinental lightweight champion's first bout in the city since turning professional and he is looking forward to the visit. His opponent will be announced by the promoter Frank Warren at a later date.

"Since turning professional, I've boxed in most of the major cities in Britain and I'm excited that my next fight will be in Birmingham," said the unbeaten Khan, who saw off the Dane Martin Kristjansen inside seven rounds of his WBO world lightweight title eliminator earlier this month.

"I get fan mail from all around the country but the majority I receive is from Birmingham and the question is always the same: 'When are you going to fight here'?

"I've boxed there as an amateur and I know that the fans are very passionate and love their boxing so I'm expecting a great turnout from the public to make it a great night."

Khan's win over Kristjansen, who had never previously been stopped, was his 17th since turning professional, and arguably his hardest fight to date.

The 21-year-old, who is expected to fight for a world title later this year, added: "I'm getting better and better with each fight and my last fight against Kristjansen, which I believe was my most complete performance yet, proved how far I have come in a short period of time.

"Of course, there is still plenty of things that I need to improve on in the gym but I feel that I am on the right track to win a world title," he added.