AMIR Khan insists he will never take on his idol, pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao.

But trainer Freddie Roach is convinced the WBA light-welterweight champion is the natural successor to Pacquiao's crown as the number one fighter on the planet.

Khan makes his first defence of the title he won in July when he takes on mandatory challenger, Dmitriy Salita, on Saturday. Part of his preparation included sparring with Pacquiao.

But, while the 22-year-old dreams of one day emulating the Filipino multiple world champion, he is adamant their rivalry will never go beyond the confines of Roach's Los Angeles Wild Card gym. Khan was at ringside to cheer his friend on in his stunning victory over Miguel Cotto last month and says he can never imagine going up against the 30-year-old for real.

"His performance against Cotto was amazing," said Khan. "It inspires you when you see a great champion do that.

"I trained with him for five weeks and to just pick anything up from him will help my career.

"But I can't see me fighting him. By the time I get up to that level he will have called it a day. I've too much respect to fight him."

Khan has come on in strides since asking super coach, Roach, to be his mentor.

Roach belief

The man who turned Pacquiao into the best fighter on the planet has already led Khan to the WBA belt in less than a year and believes this is just the start for the 2004 Olympic silver medalist.

First up is Salita at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena - but Roach has plans to conquer America - taking on the biggest names like Juan Manuel Marquez and Cotto.

And just as Pacquiao has won titles from flyweight up to welterweight, Roach believes Khan can also rule at multiple weights.

"He and Manny Pacquiao are very similar," said Roach. "They've both got power and speed and when you have both it can be devastating.

"I see him following Manny's path. They train together and when they spar it gets very competitive. The future is endless for him.

"He has the bodyform to move up the divisions for sure. 135lbs would be okay, but I like 140 even better. He will be a welterweight and maybe even a middleweight I'd say."

Such debates will have to be put on the backburner, with Khan first having to overcome the undefeated Salita.

"He's a good operator, he's skilful, has good movement and is quite quick," said Khan. "People forget how quick he is. He's undefeated and any undefeated fighter has done a great job.

"I have to be careful because he will work on my weak points. I took the fight that will bring the best out of me as well.

"He's got one of those styles that will make me look good and bring the best out of me."

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