AMIR Khan's manager believes the teenager's rematch with Olympic conqueror Mario Kindelan next month is "one of the biggest fights in the history of amateur boxing."

Khan, who lost to Kindelan in their Athens final last summer, will fight the Cuban legend on May 14 at the Reebok Stadium in his native Bolton live on terrestrial television.

The 18-year-old, who also looks likely to travel to Cuba for a third match in July, has targeted a second tussle with 33-year-old Kindelan for some time but a number of proposed dates came and went as Frank Warren, who will co-promote the event, negotiated with the Amateur Boxing Association of England, Cuban boxing officials and broadcaster ITV.

Khan's manager Asif Vali said: "It will be the first time Amir has ever fought in Bolton in 115 bouts, I think. It's close to his heart, it's special to him.

"This is one of the biggest fights in the history of amateur boxing. The build-up to this is unbelievable, he's looking forward to it.

"He knows what he has got to do and the coaches are sitting down with him with videos being played over and over again.

"He's confident, he's mature, he's experienced and he's optimistic for a different result."

Khan remains insistent he can pull off an impressive victory at the second attempt.

"I'm very pleased that the fight is on May 14 and that Frank Warren and the ABA have put in a lot of time and effort to put it together," he said.

Strong

"I appreciate and respect the fact that he is coming over to England to fight me and I'm looking forward to boxing him again.

"I feel very strong and confident and I am sure I can reverse the decision this time."

It had been suggested in some quarters the rematch would be Khan's amateur swansong ahead of a switch to the professional ranks but according to Vali, talks have started over a third meeting.

An English team is scheduled to travel to Cuba this summer and it looks likely 18-year-old Khan will be part of it and aiming for another crack at the respected Kindelan.

Vali said: "Dates have been proposed but we've not confirmed anything yet, I think they were July.

"There is an opportunity there for Amir to go to Cuba but we haven't confirmed anything as I don't think they have stipulated the dates yet."

But Vali insisted the trip to the Caribbean does not depend on the result next month.

He added: "Not at all. There is an invite there from Virgin Atlantic for an inaugural flight to Cuba which is going to take place and Amir has been invited on there, and a spin-off to that would be to go and see the Cubans and have a look at their premises, how they train etc.

"The full ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) is putting a team out so that is certainly going to help all the team there that is going to go across to Cuba and see what's happening."

Numerous dates for the showdown in Britain have come and gone with April 16 and April 30 both announced and then cancelled due to Kindelan's commitments with his national squad.

Warren, meanwhile, said: "It has been hard work but I am delighted that everything is resolved and that the fight is now confirmed for Saturday, May 14.

"This is the biggest amateur fight out there featuring the two best boxers in the world and Amir can now fully focus on the big test he has ahead."

How do you see the fight going? Have your say.

Tweet