HBO’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING TO BROADCAST KHAN vs. McCLOSKEY WORLD TITLE BOUT ON SATURDAY NIGHT

MANCHESTER – On Saturday, April 16, British boxing royalty will take to the ring at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, as WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir “King” Khan defends his crown against unbeaten European champion Paul “Dudey” McCloskey.

Though the bout is taking place across the pond from the United States, HBO viewers won’t miss a second of the action, as a tape-delayed broadcast of the bout will open up Saturday’s edition of World Championship Boxing, featuring the live WBC Welterweight World Title bout between Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz, beginning at 9:45pm ET / 6:45pm PT.

“It’s great having HBO cover the fight even though I’m fighting at home in the U.K.,” said Khan.  “Last year, I had the best fight of the year on HBO [against Marcos Maidana in December] and plan to have another one this year.  The support HBO has given me is brilliant and I really appreciate them showing my fight against McCloskey on Saturday night to all of my American fans.”

In 2010, Bolton, England’s Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) dazzled American fans with an 11^th round technical knockout win over Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in his U.S. debut in May and in December participated in the “Fight of the Year” with a win over Marcos “Chino” Maidana in Las Vegas.  Now, he will look to give back to his loyal British fans by adding a home-turf win over McCloskey to his already impressive resume.

“He’s an unbeaten, dangerous fighter, but I’m going to win and give my fans at home a great fight,” said Khan.

In the opposite corner, McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) has patiently waited for his shot at a world title, building up a perfect record in the process.  On Saturday night, he will get his shot against Khan and hopes to make a statement to American fans.

“I don’t know why it’s taken so long to get a world title shot,” McCloskey said.  “Nobody can say I don’t deserve this opportunity.  I have earned it the right way, as I’ve won British and European titles along the way.”

On Saturday, the pride of Derry, Northern Ireland gets his turn in the spotlight and he promises that for his European fans and for new ones watching on HBO in the United States, it will be a night to remember.

“At the end of this fight,” he said, “the name of Paul McCloskey will be well known on the other side of the Atlantic.”

“King Khan Returns,” the WBA Super Lightweight Championship fight featuring Amir “King” Khan defending his title against undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey on April 16 at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, is a 12 round bout presented in association with Khan Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.  The event will broadcast live on Primetime Pay-Per-Viewin the U.K. at 8:00 PM BST, with the main event being aired on a delayed basis in United States on HBO at 9:45 PM ET/6:45 PM PT.

Photo credit: Mark Robinson/MDR Photography

(Left to Right) Trainer Freddie Roach and WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan pose on April 12, 2011 at an open media workout in Manchester, England in preparation for Khan’s world title defense against undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey on April 16, 2011 at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester which will be televised on delay on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.

(Left to Right) WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan (Left) hits the mitts with trainer Freddie Roach on April 12, 2011 at an open media workout in Manchester, England in preparation for Khan’s world title defense against undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey on April 16, 2011 at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester which will be televised on delay on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.

Undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey shadow boxes on April 12, 2011 at an open media workout in Manchester, England in preparation for his world title challenge against WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan on April 16, 2011 at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester which will be televised on delay on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.

Undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey jumps rope on April 12, 2011 at an open media workout in Manchester, England in preparation for his world title challenge against WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan on April 16, 2011 at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester which will be televised on delay on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.