He has lost twice in the last 18 months, to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia, which makes it imperative he returns to winning ways against Diaz if he is to harbour hopes of regaining his world title.
“I have absolutely no doubts at all that I have the power to knock out Diaz and when I do that will send a message to all the other 10-stone fighters out there that I am back,” said Khan, who will be making his first appearance in Britain for two years.
“I have made mistakes and they have caught up on me in the ring, but I feel under my new trainer Virgil Hunter I am now learning so much every day and I’m working up to a peak. ”
On the Khan-Diaz undercard will be London Olympics bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo, making his professional debut against Kieron Gray in a middleweight contest. And heavyweight Audley Harrison makes his latest comeback against American Deontay Wilder, who has won all his 27 fights by knockout.
I have made mistakes and they have caught up on me in the ring
“It will be a very winding road, but I will get there in the end,” he added.