? Fight against Northern Irishman in Manchester on 16 April
? European champion from Dungiven has 22-0 pro record
Amir Khan will defend his WBA light-welterweight title against the European champion, Paul McCloskey, on 16 April. The Bolton fighter will face the Northern Irishman at the MEN Arena in Manchester in his first fight on home soil since 2009.
Khan, 24, had been linked with various names for his next defence, with McCloskey at one stage ruled out following a breakdown in negotiations.
"I'm delighted that this fight has finally been put together following some tough negotiations," said Khan. "This is a match-up the British public want to see and will be a fantastic fight between two of the best light-welterweights in the country."
While McCloskey carries clout as the European champion, his name will be unfamiliar in the United States where Khan spent 2010 trying to establish himself. Victory over Paulie Malignaggi and the thriller against Marcos Maidana in December were held in America and Khan had always maintained his next contest would be in Britain.
On paper McCloskey is qualified to take on the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, despite a lack of impressive names on his 22-fight perfect record. The 31-year-old Dungiven southpaw had been scheduled to defend his European title against Michele Di Rocco in March.
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