• Amir Khan v Danny Garcia

Khan returned WBA world title

ESPN staff
July 11, 2012
Amir Khan now has a belt to show off during his ring walk © Getty Images
Enlarge

Amir Khan and Danny Garcia will fight for three light-welterweight world titles when they meet in the ring this weekend, after the Bolton fighter saw his WBA belt reinstated.

Khan lost his WBA and IBF belts in his December defeat to Lamont Peterson - although the American later failed a drugs test that saw the result rendered void. The IBF has so far failed to decide to return its belt to Khan, but the WBA has now acted in time for the belt to be put on the line this weekend.

Garcia has always been risking his WBC belt, while the pair will also fight for The Ring title - after that was also put up for the fight, which takes place in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"I feel so happy - the WBA restating me as world champion again," Khan told Sky Sports News, after the fight was confirmed as a unification affair. "I wanted to clean up this division before I left it and I think this is the best way to do it.

"When I beat Danny Garcia I will have won four of the five belts - which no-one has ever really done."

Khan has been expected to move up to welterweight for a number of months now, before the defeat to Peterson - and the subsequent cancellation of their rematch after Peterson's failed test became public - derailed his plans somewhat.

However, Khan is not sure this will definitely be his last bout at light-welterweight.

"I'll see where I stand with my team," Khan said. "If they want me to stay one more fight then I will, because making the weight isn't a problem anymore with my diet and everything.

"But if Freddie [Roach, Khan's trainer] thinks I should step up then I will - because there are more challenges up there that will motivate me."

Golden Boy chief Richard Schaefer subsequently said there is a "strong possibility" Khan could fight Floyd Mayweather Jr when the American is released from jail.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close