British boxer Amir Khan

I try not to get overly enthusiastic when I hear that there’s another British boxer on the rise in the world,in the sport of boxing. Merely because many of them, once having crossed the Atlantic , they tend to end up biting the dust when they’ve faced an American opponent on these shores.

British boxer Amir Khan (right) stands toe to toe while connecting to the head of his Ukrainian opponent Andreas Kotelnik . The bout took place at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester , England , this past Saturday , 18th July, 2009. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Andrew Yates .................

The exception to the rule over the last few years have been former undisputed heavyweight champion , Lennox Lewis and the former undisputed super middleweight champion and the linear title holder amongst the light heavies, Joe Calzaghe. These two fighters seemed to have excelled when facing an opponent said to be their superior in almost every facet of the fight game.

Amir Khan lands a quick right hand to the head of Marco Antonio Barrera in their world title fight held earlier this year in March at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester , England. Khan won the fight impressively with a fifth round stoppage which resulted in a technical decision. A bruised, bloodied and battered Barrera was unable to come out for the sixth round of their WBO Inter Continental lightweight title bout. picture appears courtesy of getty images / Andrew Livesey ............................

And when one takes into account that the two of them were a combined 87-2-1 over the course of their careers. With the tow blemishes on that record being Lewis’ two losses , one each to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman . Both of which were swiftly avenged by Lewis , with comprehensive victories over both of his nemesis-es.

Frank Warren and his young protoge' Amir Khan seen here publicizing Khan's upcoming defense against Andreas Kotelnik. Warren has started to make pronouncements that his young fighter is the future of the sport within the division and is prepared to take on allcomers. picture appears courtesy of getty images / John Gichigi ..........................

Which brings me to introduction of up and coming young prospect Amir Khan . Who already at the tender age of 22 , has now been crowned a world champion, capturing the junior light welterweight title with a unanimous victory over Andreas Kotelnik , this past Saturday night . And as impressive as that victory might well have been . His previous victory may well have been the one that has now put him on the fast track for super-stardom in the sport of boxing. His defeat of former seven time world champion, (three different weight classes) Marco Antonio Barrera , may well have put to rest the fact that prior to the bout. He’d been fight nothing more than tomato cans and patsies for good measure.

Khan in one of the rare and elusive moments that Kotelnik was able to lead an attack manages to evade a punch from the fighter during their bout. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Andrew Yates ...........................

With the victory now over Kotelnik and his prior defeat of Barrera. The talk now , is for Khan to step up in class and pedigree, the type of fighters that he ought to now face. While, wholeheartedly I’m not against this, I do feel that it’d be in the title holder’s best interest to think things through before facing his next challenger. And though one might use the analogy from hereon-in ,it’ll be like shooting fish in a barrel. Khan should be forewarned that it takes a wise man to think through but a fool to just step on in thinking that nothing that stands in their way can’t be defeated.

Khan lands a left hook to the already dishevelled face of his opponent Andreas Kotelnik. For a large majority of the bout it was Khan who was the aggressor. And the judges were succinct in arriving at a unanimous verdict at the end of twelve rounds of boxing for the light welterweight title. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Andrew Yates .........................

The praise lauded upon the young fighter whilst justified should also act as a cautionary note if he chooses not to heed the advice being given to him at this juncture. Obviously there’s a great deal of money to be made as the champion. But all the money in the world cannot hide the embarrassment of defeat when you’re being handily beaten in the ring by a challenger who’s not even as talented as you to begin with. And this is seemingly the situation that Khan now finds himself in. As his manager , Frank Warren continues to guide his career meticulously. But as of late Warren is apt to believe that Khan can now take on the likes of former title holder within the division , Ricky Hatton and quite possibly land a big money bout against none other than Floyd Mayweather Jr. Such grandiose ideas serves his fighter no real purpose other than to get him noticed. And it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see the return of Hatton to the ring in the near future. Especially , not after the crushing defeat he was dealt at the hands of Manny Pacquiao , inside all of two rounds. Hatton was completely emasculated by the Filipino fighter and I doubt he’ll ever be the same again.

A jubilant Khan is raised in celebration by one of his cornermen after the announcement is made that he's defeated Andreas Kotelnik for the light welterweight title. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Andrew Yates ..............

As to Khan facing Mayweather at this juncture . I think it’s pretty safe to say we can all envisage how that bout is likely to turn out , were they face each other within the next six to eight months. And I’d like to consider also that Warren would be nowhere stupid enough to lay down the gauntlet by even daring to call out Manny Pacquiao to face Amir Khan. But such been the state of boxing that in some respects the promoters tend to do more harm to the image of the sport. Rather than actually enhancing its image , legacy and above its integrity.