Boxing: Khan finally strikes deal for Kindelan re-match

The confusing career of Amir Khan will continue when he fights Mario Kindelan, of Cuba, for the third time at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, on 14 May.

The confusing career of Amir Khan will continue when he fights Mario Kindelan, of Cuba, for the third time at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, on 14 May.

Khan lost to Kindelan twice last year and so far this year has been matched against him no fewer than three times. The pair are also scheduled to meet again in Havana on 3 July, but Khan will probably have turned professional by that date.

The fight on 14 May was first scheduled for 16 April and then it was moved to 30 April, with the backing of both Frank Warren and ITV, but both dates collapsed in acrimony. Now it looks like a deal has been struck between the Amateur Boxing Association of England, the Cuban boxing authorities, Warren's promotional company and ITV for the fight to finally take place during an hour long live broadcast.

Khan's profile since losing in the Athens Olympic lightweight final to Kindelan last August has not been helped by a series of ugly fall-outs and continuous allegations of incompetence and improper behaviour. Back in February he entered the domestic championship, but after three unimpressive wins, including one where he was knocked down, he withdrew because of a rather pathetic disagreement over ticket allocation.

Khan has been a regular at amateur events and is aware that had he not withdrawn from the domestic championship he would have fought on four out of six Fridays live on the BBC. When Khan and Kindelan meet the teenager from Bolton will be aware that the fight will be seen as a huge screen test for his inevitable professional career.