Confident Khan Says He is Ready for World-title Shot

Amir Khan believes he will be ready to challenge for a world championship this summer, provided he wins a WBO lightweight title eliminator against Denmark's Martin Kristjansen at the Bolton Arena tomorrow night. The 26-year-old Olympic medalist, undefeated as a pro, is a prohibitive 50-1 on favorite to beat Kristjansen, 30, who described Khan as "a great boxer" at yesterday's final pre-fight press conference.

Khan's target is the WBO champion, the 36-year-old American Nate Campbell, who sprung an upset recently to outpoint Juan Díaz, a "Tex-Mex" fighter who was rated one of the sport's rising stars. Joel Casamayor of Cuba, also 36, who stopped Australia's Michael Katsidis to win the WBO interim belt, is also on Khan's radar.

"I know I can beat both those guys right now," said Khan. "Their styles are made for my style. They are both quite slow with their footwork and I don't think they would be able to cope with my hand speed or my power. First there is this fight against Kristjansen. Let's see how I go with him and then I will sit down with my promoter, Frank Warren, and make my mind up where I am. Perhaps it will be after this one that I go to the world title or maybe there will be another one first - either way, I'm ready.

"I'm getting better all the time, working on shots and different things in the gym. I'm getting bigger and stronger and hitting harder. There aren't many lightweights as big as me. I've been dropping sparring partners with 16-ounce gloves, so think how I am hitting when I have eight-ounce gloves on in a fight."

Warren says he will not be rushed but admitted: "We are coming under pressure now. Every fight for Amir, that pressure gets to be more and more, but the important thing is not just to fight for a world title - anyone can do that. It is about fighting for it and winning the thing."

Kristjansen has fought only once in 17 months and is a light hitter but he is ranked above Khan by the WBO and his fitness commands respect. Khan added: "He's good, I've watched him and he likes to box a bit and force the fight. He's got a good work rate and throws lots of punches, but he can leave himself a bit open and I'm confident I can reach him with some of the big shots I've been working on."

Norwich's Jon Thaxton faces an uphill battle to win the European lightweight title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, tonight when he challenges Yuri Romanov, of Belarus, but he has been told by his promoter, Mick Hennessy, that he will be in line for a world-title shot this year if he wins.

Thaxton, 33, is a powerful hitter but is wary of Romanov's punching ability. "I know he is at the top of his game and this will be a hard night but I am ready," he said. "When I fought Ricky Hatton a few years ago [when Hatton won a close fight on points] he was still on the way up, but Romanov is up there, highly ranked by all the organizations."

The never-say-die courage of Thaxton commands respect and his big punches could instantly negate the arguably fresher and younger champion, but Romanov is a 2-5 favorite and should have enough to repel a brave effort from the British champion.