Amir Khan is ready to fight WBC light-welterweight champion Danny Garcia on July 14. 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.
Garcia poses a new type of 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."
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."
