By James Slater: Unbeaten super prospect Amir Khan has yet to make his mark on the global scene at lightweight, but the unbeaten 21-year-old former Olympic silver medallist is already looking ahead to the future and to the light-welterweight division. The fighter hotshot Khan has in his sights as a potential opponent in a year or so? None other than fellow countryman Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton..
Speaking with Sky Sports News recently, Khan said he’d like a go at Hatton in twelve months or so, if Hatton is still fighting.
“What a fight it would be,” Khan told Sky. “I’ve always said I want to move up the weights to light-welterweight, maybe in twelve months, and if Ricky is still around that fight could be made. It would be a massive fight – both of us come from Manchester – and it is a fight that people would want to watch. It would be one of the biggest British fights ever and you’d have a lot of people watching it.”
Khan is correct when he says the fight would be massive. In fact, that is something of a an understatement. Hatton, one of the most phenomenally popular British fighters in history, has proven time and again he is the undisputed #1 champion at the box-office – filling huge venues with no trouble at all. While Khan is a young fighter who has captured the imagination of not only U.K boxing fans, but, more importantly, the casual sports fan. A household name after only a few of his early pro bouts, Khan’s face is as well known as can be.
But while the possibility of a huge night in the future with Hatton and Khan going at it in front of over 50,000 people is something to get excited about, there are many hurdles to be overcome first. Khan’s next opponent, for example, in Colombia’s Breidis Prescott, will be hoping to wreck Khan’s future when they clash on September 6th.
Amir says he is aware of how much a threat the 19-0(17) Colombian is, and that he will not be looking past him.
“The next fight is in Manchester and that is another step up,” Khan said. “He [Prescott] is good, he’s got a similar record to me in that he’d had nineteen fights and he’s undefeated. He’s knocked out 17 of the 19, so it’s a big step up. It’s going to be a 50-50 fight. It’s going to be a big step up but I’m going to grab it with both hands.”
A 50-50 fight? A big step up? Khan may be building Prescott up a little too much with those comments, but it’s to be expected. Khan is fast becoming as proficient at promoting as he is at fighting!