AMIR Khan is determined to make it a successful homecoming tonight when he takes on Mexican Julio Diaz in Sheffield.

The 143-pound catch-weight bout at the Motorpoint is the Bolton superstar’s first fight on UK shores for two years.

And the 26-year-old is ready to show British fight fans he is back on track and build on his win against Carlos Molina – a victory that followed two succesive defeats for the first time in his career.

Khan believes new trainer Virgil Hunter is making him a more complete boxer and is relishing what he knows will be a tough test against a 33-year-old who has won 40 of his 48 fights and has previously held a world lightweight title.

Khan said: “It is going to be great for me to put on a big performance in front of my home fans.

“It is very exciting. I have not fought here for two years because most of my fights are in America.

“I need to thank Julio Diaz for coming all the way from America.

“Not many fighters do what I do – I go to their hometown or home country and fight them there, with my world titles.

“But no-one likes to come to me and fight in my home country, so it is great Julio Diaz has shown bottle and come over.

“We are going to be ready and strong at this weight. It is the first time I have been heavier than 140 for a long time but I think it will suit me.

“This fight will straight away elevate us back into world-title fights.”

Khan moves up in weight to meet Diaz halfway and the fighters are relatively equally matched with only half an inch height difference and one inch better reach in Khan’s favour.

But Diaz is not interested in making up the numbers in his first fight outside North and Central America.

The Mexican said: “Everything is perfect, right on point. I feel good.

“This is the key to open the doors. I beat Amir Khan, I get another world title shot.

“We know what we need to do. He is a great fighter but he makes a lot of mistakes and we are looking to capitalise on any of them.”

The bill, which also includes Audley Harrison against Deontay Wilder and Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo’s first professional fight against Kieron Gray, is packed with local talent.

Amir’s younger brother Haroon makes his professional debut against Bulgarian Stefan Slavchev, while Blackrod’s Rick Godding, pictured left, has his second arena date against experienced Welshman Bradley Pryce.

Haroon – after 66 wins as an amateur – has been training at Oliver Harrison’s gym and faces a super-flyweight bout over four rounds against the Sofia 20-year-old.

Slavchev has won just three times in 10 pro fights to date, one by knockout.

Meanwhile Godding, whose last fight against Rafal Jackiewicz in Hamburg in November ended in a draw, faces a bigger test against Pryce at light-middleweight over six rounds.

The 32-year-old from Newbridge has won 33 of his 45 fights but lost the last two – most recently against Chris Eubank Jnr in Belfast in December.

Pryce has won 18 of his 33 victories by way of knockout and has previously fought for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental light middleweight title in 2011 – a contest he lost on a unanimous points verdict to Sergey Rabchenko.

l Fans in the UK can watch “The Return of the King: Khan v Diaz” live on BoxNation (Sky Channel 437 or Virgin Channel 546). To subscribe visit www.boxnation.com.