Khan Out to Silence Champion

Amir Khan laid out a checklist of ambitions last night before his Commonwealth lightweight title defense against Scott Lawton from Stoke at the Nottingham Arena on Saturday, including his desire "to shut up Jon Thaxton for good" by challenging and defeating the British champion next year.

Thaxton, 33, who will defend his British title against Dave Stewart in Bethnal Green on Friday night, has been a frequent critic of Khan, saying he would have knocked out the Olympic silver medalist if he had floored him in the manner of Willie Limond in Khan's last fight in July.

Khan, however, sees matters differently. "I definitely want to fight Thaxton after another two fights," he said. "He's never fought anyone as fast as me and, if I do box him, I think I'll box his head off. He just tries to throw all his punches as hard as he can and he's very predictable. He's a four- or five-round fighter and after that he's knackered. Next year I want to fight him and shut him up to prove I'm the best British fighter."

Khan said he had worked on his strength and balance after the shock of being knocked down in the sixth round against Limond before going on to break the Scotsman's jaw and stop the fight at the end of the eighth. "I've changed a few little things. It was like a wake-up call and I've been more serious for this fight. It made me train harder, put my head down and focus. I feel fast and explosive, and I want it to look like a new me."