AMIR Khan has vowed he will be in the shape of his life when he steps up in class to defend his Commonwealth lightweight title against former interim world title challenger Graham Earl.

Khan celebrates his 21st birthday by taking on the Luton veteran at the Bolton Arena on Saturday in what will be his 15th professional bout.

He readily accepts this will be the biggest step up in class of his career and has warned Earl to expect to be faced with a dangerous physical specimen.

"Training couldn't have gone any better, not only the strength and conditioning but we've also been putting new things in in the training camp that I've not done before," said Khan.

"Myself and Oliver (Harrison, trainer) have been working on different things as well.

"The fitness is there and the strength is there. I've gone on a diet with my nutritionist and I'm already on the weight today."