WBA announces title defence is set for March/April
Amir Khan will defend his WBA light-welterweight title against mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana, according to reports.
Rumours had been suggesting the Bolton boxer was likely to relinquish the title rather than face the hard-hitting Argentine, who has won 27 of his 28 fights, all-bar-one by stoppage.
Purse bids had been due by Monday but were reportedly suspended after a 'tentative' agreement was reached by the two parties.
A statement on the WBA's website reads: "A tentative agreement was reached between the parties and it was not necessary for a purse bid for the championship bout between the United Kingdom's Amir Khan and the interim champion, the Argentinean Marcos Maidana, as they came to terms.
"The participants decided that the match to determine the absolute champion will be done approximately end of March or beginning of April, it simply needs a site to be defined.
"However they are talking... some cities have been mentioned (with) Manchester, England and Las Vegas as possible scenarios for the bout."
Khan is eager to make his presence felt in America with Paulie Malignaggi named as a possible opponent, although a tussle with Maidana would also be of huge interest.
The 26-year-old's only previous defeat was a narrow points loss to then-champion Andriy Kotelnik, who subsequently lost his next fight to Khan.
Skysports.com is awaiting an official announcement from Khan's promoters.
