KHAN EAGER FOR STATESIDE EXPOSURE
Posted: 10 Aug 2009, 19:49
Amir Khan has reaffirmed his desire to fight in the United States as soon as possible, casting further doubt over the likelihood of a contest with Ricky Hatton.
Talk of a meeting between the two north-west fighters has not gone away since Khan won the WBA light-welterweight championship with a points victory over Andreas Kotelnik last month.
But uncertainty continues to surround the future of Hatton, who is still mulling over the prospect of making any kind of return to the ring after his second-round knock-out against Manny Pacquiao in May.
And 22-year-old Khan's focus remains on the United States as he looks to boost his international profile with the defence of his new belt.
"There's a few promoters we are speaking to about where we can fight, but I'd like to fight in the States - next fight or the one after," said Khan.
"Now I'm the world champion I think it would be great to fight on American TV - to let the Americans find out who Amir Khan is.
"That's the next step for me, exposing myself in America, and that's what we are working towards now."
Aside from Hatton, a whole host other potential opponents have been linked with Khan and the Bolton fighter admitted that a list of names was beginning to form in his head.
"A lot of people have said Ricky Hatton or (Erik) Morales but I'm having a break at the moment," Khan said.
"Let the venue be set so we can then talk about the opponent. There's a few opponents in mind. We are going to sit down with my promotion team and go through it."
Three weeks on from his crowning as world champion, Khan said the reality of fulfilling his life-long dream was still yet to sink in.
"It's only about two or three weeks since winning the title and what a great achievement it was - a dream come true for me" he said.
"I've always dreamt of winning a world title belt and I've done it now. There are bigger and better things coming for me.
"I'm going to let it sink in, I've got a couple of weeks off. Then it's back in training in October because I think I'll be fighting in November, December."
Khan was speaking at the Reebok Stadium where he turned out in the colours of his beloved Bolton Wanderers as part of the celebrations marking goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen's testimonial.
Having played the second half of a 'Bolton legends' game, Khan admitted he had found the going tough against his Wanderers heroes, some of whom were twice his age.
"The first minute was hard, I was huffing and puffing and thinking, 'This is tough'," said Khan.
"I think it was the sprinting that I was doing, up and down chasing the ball. But one of the players said to me, 'Just pace yourself and take it easy, walk now and then, jog, don't always sprint', so I did that and it became easier.
"Putting it up against a 12-round fight - in football you're only using your legs, but in boxing it's legs and hands, the movement so you don't get hit.
"I'd say boxing is a lot tougher - you're getting hit. Here, as soon as you touch a player he's on the floor.
"I wish I was fighting against football players, I'd be knocking them out easy!"
Talk of a meeting between the two north-west fighters has not gone away since Khan won the WBA light-welterweight championship with a points victory over Andreas Kotelnik last month.
But uncertainty continues to surround the future of Hatton, who is still mulling over the prospect of making any kind of return to the ring after his second-round knock-out against Manny Pacquiao in May.
And 22-year-old Khan's focus remains on the United States as he looks to boost his international profile with the defence of his new belt.
"There's a few promoters we are speaking to about where we can fight, but I'd like to fight in the States - next fight or the one after," said Khan.
"Now I'm the world champion I think it would be great to fight on American TV - to let the Americans find out who Amir Khan is.
"That's the next step for me, exposing myself in America, and that's what we are working towards now."
Aside from Hatton, a whole host other potential opponents have been linked with Khan and the Bolton fighter admitted that a list of names was beginning to form in his head.
"A lot of people have said Ricky Hatton or (Erik) Morales but I'm having a break at the moment," Khan said.
"Let the venue be set so we can then talk about the opponent. There's a few opponents in mind. We are going to sit down with my promotion team and go through it."
Three weeks on from his crowning as world champion, Khan said the reality of fulfilling his life-long dream was still yet to sink in.
"It's only about two or three weeks since winning the title and what a great achievement it was - a dream come true for me" he said.
"I've always dreamt of winning a world title belt and I've done it now. There are bigger and better things coming for me.
"I'm going to let it sink in, I've got a couple of weeks off. Then it's back in training in October because I think I'll be fighting in November, December."
Khan was speaking at the Reebok Stadium where he turned out in the colours of his beloved Bolton Wanderers as part of the celebrations marking goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen's testimonial.
Having played the second half of a 'Bolton legends' game, Khan admitted he had found the going tough against his Wanderers heroes, some of whom were twice his age.
"The first minute was hard, I was huffing and puffing and thinking, 'This is tough'," said Khan.
"I think it was the sprinting that I was doing, up and down chasing the ball. But one of the players said to me, 'Just pace yourself and take it easy, walk now and then, jog, don't always sprint', so I did that and it became easier.
"Putting it up against a 12-round fight - in football you're only using your legs, but in boxing it's legs and hands, the movement so you don't get hit.
"I'd say boxing is a lot tougher - you're getting hit. Here, as soon as you touch a player he's on the floor.
"I wish I was fighting against football players, I'd be knocking them out easy!"
