Los Angeles - Britain's Amir Khan will return to the ring on July 14 against unbeaten World Boxing Council light-welterweight champion Danny Garcia after his planned bout last weekend was wiped out.
Khan had to seek a new opponent after a May 19 rematch against Lamont Peterson was cancelled following the American's positive doping test for synthetic testosterone, a banned performance-enhancing substance.
Peterson defeated Khan in a controversial split decision last December in Washington, Peterson's hometown, to claim the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation light-welterweight titles.
But Khan and promoters have asked the result be ruled no contest and the titles returned to the 25-year-old Englishman, who is 26-2 with 18 knockouts.
Peterson has said he was implanted with the banned substance before the Khan fight.
In the meantime, Khan confirmed his excitement to have a new date and opponent in a posting on his Twitter page.
“Just want to say thank you for all the support and may the best man win on July 14th. Khan vs Garcia. Mandalay Bay Vegas,” Khan tweeted.
The Khan-Peterson rematch was called off on May 9 after a second sample from a random urine test on March 19 came back positive. Peterson has asked Nevada officials for a hearing on the matter which is set for next month.
Garcia, 23-0 with 14 knockouts, won the vacant WBC crown last March with a unanimous decision triumph over Mexico's Erik Morales, who lost the title for failing to make weight for the Garcia fight.
The fight could be for the undisputed light-welterweight crown, although it is not certain that any title will be at stake with the WBA and IBF yet to decide on giving the belts to Khan and the WBC's mandatory opponent for Garcia being London-based Nigerian southpaw Ajose Olusegun, who is unbeaten at 30-0. - Sapa-AFP