• Boxing

Khan heading for biggest UK fight since 2008

ESPN staff
February 3, 2011
Amir Khan is becoming one of the most highly sought-after boxers in the sport © Getty Images
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Amir Khan will attempt to stage the biggest UK stadium fight in over two years when he bids to unify the light-welterweight titles in 2011.

Khan is currently looking for an opponent for an April 16 date at the MEN Arena, with Paul McCloskey, Junior Witter, Lamont Peterson and Kell Brook all linked to a WBA light-welterweight title bout.

Whoever eventually steps into the ring with Khan will be widely expected to get soundly beaten, as the Briton sets his sights further ahead to a unification bout with the division's No. 1 fighter, Timothy Bradley. American pugilist Bradley holds the WBO and WBC crowns, making for a potential blockbuster showdown with Khan in July.

Bolton-born Khan has already confirmed he would like to unify the titles in front of his home fans, and manager Asif Vali admits it would be big business on a par with Ricky Hatton's 56,000-strong crowd at Eastlands if the bout comes together.

"We'd like the fight in the UK and bringing Bradley over with his two titles to unify the belts would be awesome," said Vali in the Daily Mirror.

"It could be a stadium fight, like Calzaghe-Kessler in Cardiff or Hatton-Lazcano. It could attract those kind of numbers. The broadcasters are proposing dates in July and if they want it in the UK, they'll make it happen."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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