Khan takes on Dmitriy Salita in Newcastle this weekend in his first fight since claiming the WBA light-welterweight title from Andreas Kotelnik in July.
The 22-year-old has made an impressive comeback since a first round knockout by Breidis Prescott in 2008 and will be looking to continue that upward trend against Salita, the mandatory challenger.
Roach joined forces with Khan after the Prescott defeat and, having played a major factor in his re-emergence over the last year, the American expects to see his man step up again now he has a belt to defend.
"Winning world titles makes guys better fighters," Roach said.
"Some guys get satisfied and just take it for granted, but not Amir - he wants to learn to get better.
"Just being the champion, he has pride and he doesn't want to lose that title. It is going to make him that much tougher."
Roach, who also trains multi-weight champion Manny Pacquiao, the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, believes Khan's physical development will see him climbing the weight divisions.
"He will be a welterweight some day," Roach said. "As long as he carries that speed and power up with him, we'll climb as we go."
Speculation has been rife about Khan's potential opponents for 2010 with the likes of Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez frequently mentioned, but Roach is eager to keep things in perspective.
"It took Manny Pacquiao eight years to get to where he is right now and this is our first year with Amir," Roach said.
"It is impossible to escape talk that Ricky Hatton might be next and other guys.
"It's fun to talk about and it's part of the sport, but right now we have Salita on our mind and that is who we are going after."
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Elb Owdeep (02/12/2009 at 11:58)
PATRICK DOWLING (02/12/2009 at 13:07)
PatBlackFlash (02/12/2009 at 17:11)
Everyone knows that Amir cannot hold a shot, he has been up and down like a yoyo in his career, and will get knocked out again when he takes on someone who can bang. That said, Amir is quick and a good boxer so you have to give him credit for that.
Amir is like a modern version of Errol Christie, another great boxer who just couldn't take a punch.
A Saracen (03/12/2009 at 10:10)
serving para (03/12/2009 at 18:42)
redfred, manchester (03/12/2009 at 18:59)
Hands of Stone, Southside (03/12/2009 at 22:08)
What he can do is get him to keep his chin down, hit and move, do not naively rush his opponents cos some of them love it on the back foot and will pick him off at this level, pace himself and weigh up his options in the first round or two, keep his guard high and tight, especially that right hand on his chin (I'd use superglue) It's no secret, he's vulnerable to the left hook to the chin and shouldn't be gifting it by beingt sloppy and dropping his guard.
Good luck to Amir, but I want to see John Murray get a crack at him or Ricky.
Hands of Stone, Southside (03/12/2009 at 22:10)
What he can do is get him to keep his chin down, hit and move, do not naively rush his opponents cos some of them love it on the back foot and will pick him off at this level, pace himself and weigh up his options in the first round or two, keep his guard high and tight, especially that right hand on his chin (I'd use superglue) It's no secret, he's vulnerable to the left hook to the chin and shouldn't be gifting it by beingt sloppy and dropping his guard.
Good luck to Amir, but I want to see John Murray get a crack at him or Ricky.