Khan Embarks on Fast Track to World Title

To say Amir Khan likes fighting in his home town would seem an understatement. In his previous three contests at the Bolton Arena, his opponents have lasted a total of four minutes 59 seconds, so the Dane Martin Kristjansen could be forgiven for approaching tonight's WBO world lightweight title eliminator with a degree of trepidation.

Khan, 21, blew away Luton's Graham Earl in 72 seconds last December, having earlier scored a first-round win in Bolton over David Bailey on his pro debut, and an opening-round demolition job on Ryan Barrett. More recently, a classy boxing display in a 12-round points win in London against Gairy St Clair in his last outing showed an impressive maturity to support Khan's argument that he is ready for the big names of the lightweight division.

Victory over Kristjansen, 30, who has lost one and drawn three of his 23 contests, looks a near certainty for Khan and a win will increase the clamor for him to move quickly towards a shot for the world title, not least from ITV, who have covered all 16 of his career victories to date and are now deciding whether or not to continue that involvement with the sport's hottest young property when the current contract with his promoter, Frank Warren, ends after Khan's next fight in the summer.

Kristjansen has had just one six-round fight in the past 17 months, but says he has prepared hard. Ranked No2 challenger by the WBO, even though he has not beaten any major names, he is a light puncher but also a busy fighter who wins contests by wearing opponents down.

"I don't just want to win, I want to win well," a confident Khan said last night. "I want to send out a message that I am ready to go in with anybody in the world and that I am ready to fight for a world title. "

Khan is an unbackable 1-50 to win the fight, but more tempting prices are available for a stoppage victory for the Bolton favorite. Kristjansen has never been halted, but tonight it seems a distinct possibility and it could be quick.