Amir Khan's preparations for his WBA light-welterweight title defence against Paulie Malignaggi have been hit by a visa problem. Khan, said to have been denied a visa due to past motoring offences here in the UK, journeyed to Vancouver, Canada in order to re-apply for a work permit. The process could take a week but Golden Boy, who are promoting the contest, are confident that Khan will be able to defend his title at Madison Square Garden, New York come May the 15th.

“Amir Khan has had to go to Vancouver, and it is due to a few incidents when he was younger, but we are completely confident that he will be in New York to defend his title ahead of the fight with Malignaggi. Khan is a professional, and he has maintained his focus throughout the events that have taken place. Freddie Roach has gone up to Vancouver because it has taken longer to sort this out than we at first thought," confirmed Robert Diaz of Golden Boy Promotions when speaking to The Daily Telegraph.

Khan's trainer, Freddie Roach, has travelled to Canada to continue the pre-fight preparations.