BOLTON boxing superstar Amir Khan has been putting in the hours sparring in preparation for his return to the ring against Chris Algieri on Friday.

The 28-year-old takes on New Yorker Algieri in his own back yard at the Barclays Center looking to overcome another hurdle in his bid to face Floyd Mayweather.

And Khan has left nothing to chance with trainer Virgil Hunter in readiness for his first fight in the Big Apple for five years.

He said: "I have been sparring a lot with three partners.

"One of the sparring partners was used by Manny Pacquiao before he fought Chris Algieri last year.

"I think I have done something like 250 rounds of sparring since week two of the camp.

"Sparring is the closest you get to a fight in preparation.

"I have been doing it something like three times a week.

"I think it’s a good thing to do so much of it.

"You work on how to pace a fight and the fact you have people hitting you as well helps you work on your defence as well as attack.

"It does help recreate the fight experience.

"Overall my fitness is really good and training has gone well.

"It has been a really long camp of around 12-13 weeks but I am in very good shape."

Khan teamed up with San Francisco-based Hunter in September 2012 after parting company with Freddie Roach.

He has won all four fights since and credits the trainer for making him a more thoughtful and clinical boxer.

His last two performances at the welterweight have particularly impressed critics and he believes a different test against Algieri will again bring out the best in him.

Khan added: "He has taught me so much in nearly three years together and we have bonded.

"He has shown me new techniques and it is working for me.

"He has taught me to use speed of thought in the ring to do things right.

"When I was younger, my adrenaline took over – now I am controlling myself better.

"I am getting older and wiser in the ring now and way ahead of where I was five years ago.

"I think the Devon Alexander fight proved that.

"I feel I am at my peak right now

"I am taking what I have learned in training into the ring and it comes natural to me now.

"It’s the first time ever I have fought on a Friday.

"It is new to me and a bit different.

"But winning this in good style will put me in the picture for some good fights in the future."

* Khan vs Algieri is live and exclusive on BoxNation this Friday night. Visit boxnation.com to subscribe.