By Edward Chaykovsky
Former world champion Amir Khan (31-4, 19KOs) is gunning for a rematch with Danny Garcia (32-0, 18KOs) in January of next year.
Khan wants to return in the fall, but Garcia is slated to come back on September 24 - which is too soon for the Bolton boxer. Garcia is slated to face former champion Andre Berto.
Khan was knocked out by Garcia in four rounds back in 2012. Khan was dominating the fight until he was caught by a huge counter hook in the third round and he never recovered.
In his last outing, Garcia captured the vacant WBC welterweight title with a twelve round decision over Robert Guerrero. The World Boxing Council then made Khan the mandatory challenger.
Khan retained his mandatory position after moving up by eight pounds to challenge then WBC middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in May. The British star started well and seemed to be ahead after five rounds, but a single big shot in the sixth put him down and out.
“I’m mandatory for Garcia’s belt so that it is a big fight for me right there. I won’t be able to do September but hopefully I will be okay for January,” Khan said to Sport360.
Khan says he underwent surgery to correct an issue with his right hand that was bothering him for a very long time. He says the right hand will be better than ever and much stronger for the rematch with Garcia.
“I’ve had this hand problem since my second fight when I broke my hand fighting a guy called Baz Carey. Since then it has never been the same,” Khan said.
“The doctor told me that the ligaments were destroyed so, after seven years, I finally got it operated on. I was told I have only been fighting with 30 per cent power so I’m glad that it is fixed as I need to be able to throw my right hand with full strength.
“The surgery saw them take a bone from my hip and put it in my hand. They put some screws in as well but I will be back training in a month and will be ready to fight in January."
