It's been a busy couple of days in the boxing world with the news that Amir Khan will be making his long-awaited return to the sport.

The British fighter has been out of action ever since he was brutally knocked out by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in Las Vegas.

Instead of fighting in the ring, Khan decided to take part in ITV's I'm a Celebrity show and it was in Australia where he decided he would rejoin the sport and sign with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.

“I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Matchroom,” Khan said. “This decision is not one I’ve taken lightly, as I’m at a hugely-important time in my career.

“But having spoken to Eddie at length, it was clear he and I were on the same page in terms of what I want to be doing and what I still want to achieve.

“I’m determined to win another world championship and I’m confident I’ve got the right team behind me to help me do so.

“I’ve been out of the ring for too long, and I’m desperate to make up for lost time, starting in April.”

The hot topic now is, who will be his first opponent of 2018? Well, the fighter may have revealed himself on Instagram and it is a bit of a shock.

South Africa's Chris van Heerden is the man in question and he took to the social media channel to say how close the fight was.

INSTAGRAM POST

Well, it would certainly be an unexpected opponent but one that perhaps makes sense given Khan's prolonged absence from the ring.

Van Heerden's highest profile fight so far was against Errol Spence Jr. who TKO'd him way back in 2015.

The South African would - as he states in his Instagram caption - jump at the chance to fight such a big name in the UK and it could be the perfect way for Khan to rebuild his confidence.

Then, he can look a bit higher, with Sheffield-born Kell Brook the all-British battle that everyone wants to see in the near future.