By Keith Idec

When Amir Khan revealed recently that he’d have a huge announcement to make Wednesday, there weren’t initially many that thought he was referring to signing with promoter Eddie Hearn.

Khan and Hearn have traded insults in recent years, and Khan didn’t appear interested in working with one of the two most prominent promoters in the United Kingdom. They laughed about what was once a contentious relationship during a press conference Wednesday to announce Khan’s three-fight deal with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

The 31-year-old Khan (31-4, 19 KOs), a silver medalist for England at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, will fight for the first time in nearly two years April 21. The former IBF/WBA 140-pound champion’s opponent hasn’t been announced for that fight at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

“It’s just great to be here,” Khan said during the press conference. “No one ever thought me and Eddie are gonna be sat at the same table. Probably up against each other, but not on the same team. But we decided to put everything behind us and move forward. Eddie, in my opinion, is the best promoter in the UK. I wanna start fighting in the UK a lot more now and it’s all about being with the best, the best team. And this is where I belong. I started my career off in England and I wanna come back here.

“I’ve had my last few fights in America. My last couple of years, I’ve been up and down, having the hand injury and everything. But now it’s time to put that behind me and become a champion again. And I can’t do it on my own. I need a team to do it with. I’ve got my father still with me, making sure he’s gonna work with Eddie and do things right.”

By signing with Hearn, Khan’s fights will once again be broadcast by Sky Sports in the UK. As they sat in front of a big banner with Khan’s likeness across it Wednesday, the surprising nature of what was once considered an unlikely partnership wasn’t lost on Khan.

“Being sat here with Eddie,” Khan said, “with all that stuff that used to be said between us both, this must’ve been a big shocker for everyone. … I am happy. I’m really excited for the next couple of years because this is the best time of my career now. I’m at the peak of my career, I’ve got the best fights ahead of me and it’s time now to come back with a big bang. It’s been some time. I’m feeling fit and strong and I can’t wait to be back in the ring.”

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