20.02.08 Khan aims to prove himself

Amir Khan has expressed an interest in fighting Ricky Hatton but the Commonwealth lightweight champion believes that The Hitman will be retired by the time he eventually decides to step up to light-welterweight.

Khan is determined to prove himself the number one fighter in the world at 135lbs before he even considers trying his hand in another weight class.

As a result, he feels that any proposed all-British world title fight at light-welterweight would more likely be against WBA titlist Gavin Rees than Hatton.

"I think in 18 months I'll move up to light welterweight and then I'd like to fight world champions there," Khan told setantasports.com.

"I'd be comfortable at that weight. I can put muscle on and I've got the speed, so I think I'll fit into that weight perfectly.

"There's some great fighters there. I can't see Ricky Hatton being around then. 18 months is a long time. He's a good and a respected fighter, but he'll be retired by then, I'm sure of it.

"I don't know about Junior Witter, but I'd like to fight Gavin Rees.

"I want to win everything in the lightweight division - the European belt and then the world titles."

Khan’s next outing will be against Martin Kristjansen on April 5 and the Bolton native believes that a victory over the Dane will edge him one step closer to a world title.

"Kristjansen is tough. I saw him box for the European title against Stefano Zoff in 2005 and he gave him a tough fight,” he mused.

"In fact I think Kristjansen won that fight. He has a different style to St Clair [Gairy, Khan’s most recent opponent] and he's tough.

"He's only been beaten once. He's ranked number two by the WBO - and if I beat him, well then, who knows?"

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