ALL Amir Khan wants for Christmas is a shot at a British title - because he's got everything else.
And if the 19-year-old Boltonian maintains his perfect professional record at his next contest, he could soon complete his wish list.
Khan fights an unnamed American opponent at the Excel Centre in London on December 9. Negotiate that hurdle, and the 2004 Olympic lightweight silver medallist will be aiming for a shot at a Lonsdale belt.
"It's my first eight- rounder so we'll see how that goes," said Khan, whose autobiography, `A Boy From Bolton', is reportedly selling better than Wayne Rooney's book.
Certainly there were long queues outside Waterstones in Manchester's Arndale Centre as fans waited to get their copy signed by one of Britain's most recognisable sportsmen.
Khan said: "I need to be able to go 10 or 12 rounds in a title fight so I need to see whether my body feels comfortable. I'm looking forward to the fight because it's going to be another test. It's my first American opponent and he'll give me something different to think about. You can learn from every boxer you face."
Khan, who has won all nine of his fights since turning professional last year, has been picking up tips from a succession of ring legends - from Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson to Sugar Ray Leonard. Is there a nyone left he'd like to talk tactics with? "Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather definitely," Khan said. "They're still in the game and I know they could teach me plenty of things."
Delighted
Despite the demands on his time outside the ring, Khan insists the boxing comes first. However, he's been delighted with the response to his book.
He said: "In the first week it was out, it beat the sales of Wayne Rooney's book - that's fantastic.
"I've enjoyed the signing sessions and getting to meet some of my fans. But I need to keep training hard because the fight will soon be coming up.
"I want to show the Americans what I can do and to prove to myself I am ready for a title fight."
What do you think? Have your say.
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amirs next american opponent will have been carefully vetted by frank warren and will go the same way as his last 9 stiffs ,i realy think its way overdue for khan to walk the walk and not just talk the talk as anybody who knows anything about boxing will agree that so far his "opponents" have left a lot to be desired .
I hope Amir focues more on boxing. There a lot going on for him outside the ring.
Colin, You are spot on have i shocked you there. Khan needs a real opponent who will test him and then we can judge how good he really is, because so far we dont know what kind of boxer he is going to become.
Colin, you are sounding like a broken record.
Anyone would think that Amir Khan is the only fighter whose management hand picks his opponents in the earlystages of their careers.
hi ash ,nice to hear from you , glad i was sat down when i read your comments ,amirs done everything asked of him so far but its time to move up in class ,otherwise his dream of being britains youngest world champion is just a pipedream ,of course i could be wrong as i often am but i think that frank warren is being a bit over protective ,amirs chock full of confidence in his own talents which is vital in boxing so why not let amir fight a decent fighter for a change instead of the usual stiffs ,otherwise he,s never going to climb up in the rankings is he ,warren has no need to import an opponent for him cos theres loads of fighters that would love a crack at amir .
hi aussie ,i,m well aware that this is the norm in boxing today ,but there is a slight difference in amirs case cos he says he,s going to be world champion in 18 months time ,in that case he,s going to have to get a move on ain,t he , sir henry cooper is of the same opinion as me when he said ,and i quote its no good keep feeding him "dead bodies" if he has world title asperations .
I doubt very much Amir will ever fight for the british title because there's an age restriction of 21 on it and i reckon by the time Amirs 21 he'll be looking for bigger fish.