Amir Khan to fight Manny Pacquiao in April
By Michael Cantillon
Last Updated: 26/02/17 7:06pm
Amir Khan will fight WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in April after the pair confirmed the match-up on Twitter.
Khan's last fight took place in May 2016, with the Briton suffering the fourth loss of his career to Mexican Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez having stepped up a weight in a fight for the WBC and lineal middleweight titles.
Filipino Pacquiao, 38, has defeated Timothy Bradley and Jessie Vargas to pick up the WBO and lineal welterweight titles in his last two fights, having lost his previous titles to Floyd Mayweather Jr at the MGM Arena in May 2015.
Both Khan and Pacquiao took to Twitter on Sunday to announce a "super fight" due to take place on April 23.
"Negotiations between team Pacquiao and team Khan have come to terms for the April 23 bout as this is what the fans wanted," Pacquiao tweeted.
Pacquiao had created a Twitter poll asking his 110,000-plus followers to choose either Khan, Australian Jeff Horn, American Terence Crawford or Kell Brook as his next opponent and Khan finished top.
Negotiations between team Pacquiao and team Khan have come to terms for the April 23 bout as this is what the fans wanted. #PacquiaoKhan
— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 26, 2017
"My team an I have agreed terms with Manny Pacquiao and his team for a super fight #pacquiaokhan #April23rd," tweeted Khan.
My team an I have agreed terms with Manny Pacquiao and his team for a super fight #pacquiaokhan #April23rd
— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) February 26, 2017
The location has yet to be set, with reports earlier in the week having suggested either Khan's hometown of Bolton or Manchester, or possibly the United Arab Emirates.
Khan, who won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, used to be trained by Pacquiao's current coach Freddie Roach, but parted ways with the American in 2012.
Pacquiao had briefly retired form the sport back in April 2016, stating an intention to focus on his new role as a Philippine senator, after winning elections in his home country.
He made a successful comeback against Vargas in November, picking up the 59th victory of his career.
A spokesmen for Pacquiao could not immediately be contacted for comment.