Press Release just issued at 1:00 by Frank Warren -
AMIR KHAN LINES UP ON SKY
AMIR KHAN has signed a multi-fight deal which could take him to a world title on Sky.
His first appearance on Sky Box Office will be on Saturday 6 September when he fights the undefeated Lightweight Breidis Prescott at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester.
World Super-Featherweight champion Alex Arthur will headline the show with his defence of the WBO title against Nicky Cook. Heavyweight Audley Harrison, a fellow Olympic medallist, winning gold at Sydney in 2000, will also feature on the bill.
Amir Khan follows some of Britain's best known fighters to Sky, and like Lennox Lewis, Prince Naseem Hamed, and Ricky Hatton before him, he could win a world title on Sky Box Office.
Vic Wakeling, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "All the big names in British boxing in recent years have won major world title fights on Sky, and we are delighted to welcome Amir Khan to the list. When he fights for a world title will be down to Amir and his advisors, but we shall be there."
An Olympic Silver-medalist at just 17, Amir Khan rose to prominence at the Athens Games four years ago and turned professional in 2005 with a knock-out in his first fight. Now undefeated in 18 contests, he lifted the Commonwealth title last summer and his since made four successful defences, the most recent a thrilling contest against Michael Gomez.
His next opponent, the undefeated Breidis Prescott, is a 25-year old Colombian with 17 knock-outs in 19 professional fights.
Amir Khan said: "I'm really excited to be boxing on Sky and I can't wait to put on my best performances for the viewers tuning in. "
He continued; "Britain's best boxers and some of the best fights in recent years have all featured on Sky and with the way I fight the viewers will definitely get excitement. Since winning Silver at the 2004 Olympic Games and turning professional the time has flown by and I'm now so close to achieving my ambition of becoming a world champion - and I hope I can share that defining moment on Sky."
Amir Khan joins Sky as part of a new deal with Frank Warren which will bring a number of live shows to Sky Sports for Friday Fight Night, as well as live shows for Sky Box Office, over the next year.
His promoter, Frank Warren, said: "I'm delighted to have agreed a new promotional deal with Sky, bringing around 20 shows this year, and to return to where I previously spent ten great years creating superstars like Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Naseem Hamed.
"Sky viewers are now in for a real treat as they watch an exciting and dramatic phase of Amir Khan's career unfold in front of them as he goes from unbeaten prospect and Commonwealth Lightweight Champion to a World Champion. Along with big world title fights, I'm thrilled that some of the best young and talented boxers in Britain that I promote also feature prominently and will develop into stars of the future - all on Sky."
The night of boxing will be available to Sky digital subscribers for £14.95 on Sky Box Office channel 743 and in high definition on channel 753. It can be ordered by pressing the red button on the Sky remote handset - there is a £1 booking fee for any orders made by phone. For further information and to order the event viewers can call: 08442 410 888.