AMIR KHAN v ANDREAS KOTELNIK 27 JUNE
Amir Khan will face Andreas Kotelnik of Ukraine for the WBA world light-welterweight title in June at London's O2 Arena. The former Olympic silver medallist, who will step up a division for his first crack at a world title, beat Mexico's seasoned campaigner Antonio Barerra in March.
Barrear v Khan M.E.N Arena March 14 2009
Congratulations to AMIR KHAN over his victory over Marco Antonio Barrera - Both boxers looked calm as the first bell rang but it was Khan who exploded into life, his hand speed and accuracy proving too much for his rival. Amir Khan answered his critics with a fifth-round technical decision over ring legend Marco Antonio Barrera. The 22-year-old Khan had Barrera, 35, rattled early in the first round before a clash of heads opened up a big cut high on the Mexican's forehead. It hindered his ability to box and allowed Khan to take full control of the fight from the second round.
With blood pouring down Barrera's face, the fight went to the scorecards with Khan well ahead on all three. However, the nature of the decision should not take away from what was an impressive performance by Khan, who never allowed his opponent to settle. The Mexican had lost just six of his 72 fight career winning 43 by knockout and he also famously inflicted the only defeat on British boxer Naseem Hamed in 2001.
The Bolton lightweight, who now holds a record of 20 victories, one defeat and 15 knockouts - It also sees Khan moving away from the reckless style that saw him knocked out by Breidis Prescott in September 2008. His recent link-up with revered trainer Freddie Roach seems to have reinvented the Olympic silver medallist.
So impressed was promoter Frank Warren with the performance he has now vowed to land Khan a world title fight before the end of the year.
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Amir is Britain's youngest Olympic boxer since Colin Jones in 1976. And although he didn't quite manage to strike gold in the lightweight division, Amir certainly came of age!
Khan, now unbeaten in 15 fights, climbed the world rankings to No 6 in the WBO after his 72-second demolition of Graham Earl in his hometown of Bolton on Dec 8. On February 2nd, Amir Khan will face Martin Kristjansen of Denmark for the WBO intercontinental lightweight title at the ExCel Arena in London. Kristjansen, 30, is ranked No 2 by the WBO, and has lost once in 23 professional fights, although he has only five wins by way of stoppage, and contested just one fight outside Denmark.