Khan Moving on to World Stage Against Kristjansen

Amir Khan will move closer to his dream of a world title challenge while still only 21 years old when he fights Denmark's Martin Kristjansen at London's Excel Center on February 2 in a bout that the promoter Frank Warren hopes will be recognized as an official eliminator for the WBO world lightweight title.

The 30-year-old Kristjansen, from Slagelse, is currently ranked No2 challenger with the WBO, who recognize the formidable American Juan Díaz as their "super" champion and the big-punching Australian Michael Katsidis as their "interim" champion. A professional since 2002, Kristjansen has been beaten only once in 23 contests, and is managed and promoted by Mogens Palle, the veteran Danish fight figure whose leading super-middleweight Mikkel Kessler recently lost to Joe Calzaghe.

It will be Khan's first fight since needing only 72 seconds to beat Luton's Graham Earl earlier this month in a second successful defense of his Commonwealth lightweight title. He is now undefeated in 15 contests and victory in February could put him in line for a fight against Katsidis, who took five rounds to beat Earl last February in what has been recognized as one of British boxing's best fights of the year.

"This is another step up for Amir in his explosive career," said Warren last night. "Kristjansen is world-ranked and will give him plenty to think about. He is tough and has been in the ring with some good men. But I believe Amir is ready for him now. You have to remember that he is still only 21 years old, but I think that he is ahead of where Naseem Hamed and Ricky Hatton were at similar stages in their careers.

"He looked absolutely sensational in demolishing an experienced former champion in Graham Earl, who everybody thought would give him a decent fight. Now Amir is making such quick progress in his career that I will be sending a letter to the WBO with the aim of making this fight into an eliminator for the world title."

The WBC heavyweight title fight between the Russian Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peter of Nigeria will be held in the resort of Cancún on March 8, the organization's president José Sulaimán has announced, which would make it the first world heavyweight title fight ever in Mexico. Maskaev was to defend the title against Peter in New York in October but had to pull out because of a back injury, and Peter was declared interim champion. The bout was originally rescheduled for February 2. "The fight will be at the Beto Avilar Baseball Park and that is going to make history in Mexico," said Sulaimán.