By Keith Idec

Eddie Hearn and Amir Khan were able to put previous differences aside because their promotional partnership made great business sense.

That’s how Hearn explained their seemingly unlikely deal coming together following a press conference Wednesday to announce Khan signed a three-fight contract with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. England’s Khan, 31, is set to end what will be nearly a two-year layoff April 21 against an undetermined opponent at Echo Arena in Liverpool.

“Have you heard my post-fight interviews?,” Hearn told Sky Sports following the press conference. “No one likes Eddie Hearn. It doesn’t matter. Great business is great business and this was the perfect move for everybody. And Amir Khan, even taking away ‘I’m a Celebrity,’ is one of the biggest names in world boxing. With the show, we have great momentum.

“He has a lot left in the sport of boxing. British boxing is absolutely flying. It’s been five years since he boxed in this country. April 21st, he does it all again. Echo Arena, there’s gonna be a huge undercard in Liverpool as well. And we’re excited. There are some major fights ahead for Amir Khan in 2018.”

Hearn mentioned potential fights against British rival Kell Brook, Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and American welterweight champions Errol Spence Jr. and Keith Thurman as eventual options for Khan (31-4, 19 KOs). He’ll first face lesser opposition because Khan hasn’t fought since Canelo Alvarez knocked him out in the sixth round of their May 2016 fight for the WBC middleweight title in Las Vegas.

There was competition from numerous promoters to sign Khan, including Hearn’s British rival, Frank Warren, Khan’s former promoter.

“No, I didn’t speak to Al Haymon,” Hearn said, referring to the American who has advised Khan. “We beat off everybody. Look, it’s not a secret – everybody wanted the signature of Amir Khan. He spoke to people on both sides of the Atlantic. It surprises people, this deal, because probably dating back to the Paul McCloskey fight [in April 2011], we’ve always had our differences. And, of course, the Kell Brook is a fight we’ve tried to make for years and years.

“We’ve always got [along], really, face-to-face. But there’s been a lot of things said. I’ve forgotten most of them because I talk too much anyway. But like I said, this is great business. This is great business to see Amir Khan back on Sky Sports. We are the premier promoters in world boxing. Sky Sports, in my opinion, is the premier platform in world boxing. And Amir Khan is an exciting star, and we’re glad and delighted to have his signature with our team.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.