Amir Khan’s next fight: Carlos Molina at Los Angeles Sports Arena

Former junior-welterweight world champion Amir Khan (26-3, 18 knockouts) will return to the ring Dec. 15 against Norwalk’s unbeaten Carlos Molina (17-0-1, seven KOs) at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

England’s Khan has lost his last two fights, a December split-decision to Lamont Peterson and a fourth-round technical-knockout against Danny Garcia in July.

Khan responded by severing ties with trainer Freddie Roach and hiring Virgil Hunter, the Boxing Writers’ Assn. of America 2011 trainer of the year for his work with unbeaten world super-middleweight champion Andre Ward.

“I am looking forward to getting back in the ring and continuing my career,” Khan said. “I believe in myself and my abilities. With each fight, I learn what I am capable of doing and these opportunities afford the chance to better myself and continue to come back stronger than before.

“I fight for all of the fans that continue to support me regardless of outcome and I will not be satisfied until I give them what they want. I want to be a world champion again and that is what the goal is starting with this fight against Molina.”

The Sports Arena, former home of the Lakers, Clippers, USC and UCLA basketball, opened with a boxing card in 1959. Muhammad Ali fought there three times, and the venue also played host to fights including Sugar Ray Robinson and Roberto Duran.

The most recent boxing card at the Sports Arena was in 1996. Showtime will televise Khan-Molina.

Tickets will go on sale shortly, according to Golden Boy Promotions, and the card will be preceded by a holiday fan-fest at the Sports Arena, with concerts and autograph signings.

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