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Amir Khan will celebrate his 20th birthday in style by seizing his unlikely chance to fight for his first professional title at London's ExCel Arena this weekend.
Khan's contest with Frenchman Rachid Drilzane on Saturday night has been upgraded to a 10-rounder for the IBF intercontinental light-welterweight title, following Scott Harrison's withdrawal from the main event.
It is a bold move for Khan, who turns 20 tomorrow, and had originally been due to face Drilzane in his first fight over the eight-round distance before being offered his title opportunity.
Khan said: "I said yes straightaway. My trainer thinks I am ready for it, and all I have to do is pace myself and make sure I do not wear myself out early.
"This is only my 10th fight, and it is great to move on so quickly and fight for a title so soon. But I am looking beyond this to the day I can take on some of the best fighters in the world."
Khan will expect to move back down to lightweight following this title fight, but promoter Frank Warren insisted his chance is about more than simply saving a seemingly jinxed ExCel Arena show.
Warren said: "We always said when an opportunity of a title fight presented itself to Amir we would take it. This is not a 'save the show' job. I think it is a big step up for him."
Drilzane boasts a little more experience than Khan and has neither stopped anyone nor been stopped himself during his own low-key professional career.
Khan added: "Moving up to a 10-round title fight has given me more focus and something else to fight for.
"My other fights so far have just been for the experience. With a title on the line, I will be much more hungry.
"It is great to get this opportunity one day after my 20th birthday. I have been training hard and I am undoubtedly ready for it."
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Source: BBC Sport |
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