Soldiers subjected to jeering and abuse at a homecoming parade earlier this week were given free tickets to Amir Khan’s fight.

The Bolton-born boxer and promoter Frank Warren have given 50 ringside seats to the Royal Anglian Regiment who were branded as 'criminals, murderers and terrorists' by protestors.

Khan, who is taking on Mexican veteran Marco Antonio Barrera, has made no comment publicly about his feelings over the way the regiment was treated.

But a spokesman said: "The Royal Anglians were absolutely delighted at the tickets gesture. They love watching Amir fight, and it will be a great sporting night."

Promoter Frank Warren said: "All our boxers are giving tickets to the men who went out there to do a perilous job defending our country.

"They do not decide who we go to war against. That's the job of the politicians. But they risk their lives for all of us in this country."