Campbell Issues Khan Challenge

The world's No1 lightweight, Nate Campbell, has said he would be prepared to travel to England to defend his world champion's belt against Amir Khan and that he would fight him in his next contest if that is what Khan and his promoter, Frank Warren, wish.

The 36-year-old American recently won the WBO, IBF and WBA versions of the title by defeating his fellow countryman Juan Diaz, while Khan, 21, was installed as No1 challenger by the WBO after maintaining his unbeaten record by defeating Martin Kristjansen last week.

"Khan is my mandatory challenger, and he says he wants to win a world title quicker than Naseem Hamed [to do that Khan would need to be champion before July], so why not do it now?" said Campbell. Warren is on record as saying Khan will be ready for a world title fight by the end of the year but his preferred option may yet be an open-air contest at Bolton's Reebok Stadium, which might make the summer of 2009 a more likely date.

Khan is due to fight in June in the last bout of his current deal with ITV and Warren has already ruled out a world title bout; it is also the final commitment of Khan's existing contract with Warren. Khan's father Shah is keen to maintain the relationship with Warren and a world title contest against Campbell will be central to negotiations for whoever clinches a new television contract.