Khan reinstated as light welterweight champion ahead of title bout

Jul 11, 2012 - 11:52 PM Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - Amir Khan has been reinstated as WBA light welterweight champion, meaning that his bout on Saturday against WBC title holder Danny Garcia will be to unify the belts.

The decision to uplift Khan to the title came by the World Boxing Association due to the fact that medical experts confirmed the failed drug test of Lamont Peterson.

According to WBA rules, no fighter who has tested positive for prohibited substance, can be rated, retain a title, or be permitted to fight in a sanctioned bout for at least six months from the date of the positive test.

Khan (26-2, 18 KOs) was supposed to fight Peterson May 19 in a rematch of a Dec. 10 bout last year. Peterson won that fight in a controversial split decision. Khan lost his WBA and International Boxing Federation belts in that fight.

A native of Great Britain, the 25-year-old Khan will be appearing in his eighth title fight on Saturday. Garcia (23-0, 14 KOs), who is from Philadelphia, is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision over Erik Morales in March.