After the disclosure of Lamont Peterson’s positive for a banned substance that canceled his May 19th rematch, Amir Khan has found a new dance partner in WBC Super Lightweight champion Danny Garcia as they have agreed to meet on July 14th according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
The bout will take place at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas
“You have two young guys, two of the best in the division,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer,who promotes both fighters.. “Danny Garcia is undefeated and a champion and Amir Khan is one of the biggest names in the sport, so I am really excited about this fight and lucky we were to be able to put it together considering what happened (with Peterson).”
Schaefer said heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell (25-0, 19 KOs) of Brandywine, Md., will open the HBO telecast. He could face Detroit’s Johnathon Banks (28-1-1, 18 KOs), a former cruiserweight title challenger who has been at heavyweight since 2009 and gone 8-0-1 in the weight class
“I feel like this is how its supposed to be — the best versus the best, both of us in our prime and giving the fans a great fight,” Garcia told ESPN.com. “I’m just happy. Its going to be a great fight and I feel like I have what it takes to beat this guy.”
“When I heard about the possibility I strapped on my shoes and went out running. I want to be ready,” Garcia said. “I believe everything happens for a reason. I guess that (Peterson-Khan II) wasn’t meant to be. I feel like Khan and me are young fighters taking it back to the old days when the best mixed it up with the best.
“I’ve watched Khan a lot. He’s a good fighter, but I don’t think he’s what people say he is, getting all this credit. I’ll expose all that stuff July 14. I know I’m going to win this fight. I feel like he will leave himself open for some big shots and we’ll see if he can take them. I can box and I can punch. I’m going to hit him with stuff he won’t see. I can’t wait.”
