Boxing: Khan Gets a Home Debut

The professional debut of Amir Khan has been switched to the 7,000-seat Bolton Arena on July 16 from the Excel Arena in London after the huge publicity generated by the Olympic silver medallist's win over the Athens champion Mario Kindelán.

No opponent has yet been named for the contest, which will be on the undercard of a British heavyweight title fight in which the former champion Danny Williams will challenge Matt Skelton. Khan may not be topping the bill but the clamour for tickets will make him the major attraction in his home town.

"It will be great to be fighting there again," he said. "It gave me a real buzz on Saturday. It's been mad since then; everybody's stopping me and talking to me. I must give the history of my boxing career seven or eight times every day.

"But I don't mind. It's fantastic to be getting this much attention and I can't wait to begin as a professional."

Khan, 18, plans to enrol for a university degree in sports science after taking a one-year break from his studies. "You never know where you are going to end up and where boxing is going to take you. Too many sportsmen finish their careers with nothing to fall back on."

Skelton and Williams were happy to take a back seat in yesterday's press conference and both described Khan's move into the professional ranks as exciting news for the sport. The promoter, Frank Warren, said he hoped whichever of them won would fight for a world title before the end of the year.