Khan hoping to shock world after title defence
Amir Khan hoping to shock world after title defence
Sunday, 06, Dec 2009 12:54
By Lewis Bazley.
WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan plans to realise his dream to fight in Las Vegas after defending his title on Saturday night.
The 22-year-old knocked out Ukrainian Dmitriy Salita in 76 seconds in Newcastle and has now set his sights on a title defence across the Atlantic.
"After the reception I got in Newcastle it will be hard to leave England but next year will be a good time to fight in the States," Khan told BBC Sport.
"Hopefully we can go and shock the world when we go to America."
He added: "Everyone at the gym in LA are always asking me when I'm going to fight in the US and I keep on saying: 'Soon'.
"I've been saying it for so long that they've stopped asking me, but it's always been my dream to fight in Las Vegas."
The Bolton boxer has not revealed who he plans to fight next, though his trainer Freddie Roach said Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and American duo Luis Costillo and Zab Judah are possible opponents.
However, promoter Frank Warren dismissed the prospect of Khan facing Ricky Hatton in a future title bout.
"I don't feel Ricky Hatton should fight any more," said Warren on Radio 5Live's Sportsweek. "It's crazy, you've only got to look at the size of him. Maybe he could get himself down to the weight, but one thing's for sure, his reflexes and his legs are gone.
"He's not the same fighter he was. He won't be able to get out of the way and I don't think it'll be the next fight anyway. For Ricky to be able to fight it would take him about six or seven months to get himself into some shape."