Khan: Speed and Skill will Neutralise Diaz's Power and Experience

Amir Khan has promised to deliver a memorable performance when he fights in front of a home crowd at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on April 27 against former lightweight world champion Julio Diaz.

It will be two years since Khan last fought on British soil and he will be hoping that he can make a statement and prove that he is ready to once again challenge the biggest names in the division after two losses in his last three fights.

Having made the decision to part company with Freddie Roach in order to work with Barry Hunter, Khan will be looking to demonstrate his improved defence and secure an impressive victory over Diaz.

"It's been two years since I last fought in the United Kingdom and I can't wait to get in the ring in front of my fans," said Khan. "Julio Diaz is a former world champion and a very dangerous opponent who is coming off of an impressive performance in his last fight.

"I know he will be coming with guns blazing and I'm ready for whatever he has to throw at me. With my speed and boxing skills, and his power and experience, it makes for a really exciting matchup.

"He may have other ideas but I'm adamant that my return to the British shores is going to be a very successful one."

While Diaz may not have the most impressive record, 40-7-1, he insists that he has the power to cause an upset and will be looking to put another knockout defeat on Khan's record.

"I'm not going to England for the fight to go to the scorecards. I'm fighting for the knockout," said Diaz.

"I know the knockout is the only thing that will get me the win, so I'm training extra hard already in order to get a victory on Khan's home turf. I'm a heavy hitter and he can't take a punch, so to me, that is the perfect combination."

Khan will hope that a stoppage win will earn him another world title opportunity as he looks to prove that he can still be a force at 140lbs.

While Khan is looking to get his career back on track, Anthony Ogogo will have the chance to make a name for himself when he makes his professional debut on the undercard.

Ogogo, an Olympic bronze medallist, made the decision to turn pro with Golden Boy Promotions and there was a suggestion that he would make his debut over in America. However, he has revealed how pleased he is to debut on home soil.

"I'm proud to be British and so the opportunity to turn pro on such a big fight card in England is a dream come true," said Ogogo.

"I want to become a world champion but this is the first very important step. I know what I have to do and that is to win and I want to win in style.

"I can't wait to show the British public what I can do and will be training as hard as I possibly can between now and April 27th to get myself in the best shape I've ever been in."