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TAKING IT ON THE CHIN: Amir Khan lands a right on Martin Kristjansen
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Amir the bad boy
7/ 4/2008
AMIR Khan is more choirboy than bad boy.
But the 21-year-old says he is ready to get nasty in his bid to break America and become world champion by the time the year is out.
The ever-courteous Kahn even took time out from celebrating his systematic defeat of Martin Kristjansen to wish one 93-year-old fan a happy birthday.
But he displayed a ruthlessness in the ring during his seventh round stoppage of the Dane that earned a caution from referee Mickey Vann, scorn from Kristjansen's corner, and ultimately the WBO intercontinental title .
In the end Khan was a comfortable winner, knocking his opponent to the canvas three times in the final round.
But whether it was youthful exuberance or a newly acquired nasty streak, he angered Kristjansen by continuing to rain blows as he crouched in the corner with one knee on the canvas.
Coming after the first knockdown, Kristjansen claimed it was pivotal, but Khan was unrepentant.
Charge
"I thought he was more on the ropes than anything and he was still on guard when I caught him," he said. "I'm there to beat my opposition up so I had to do that.
"He's a nice guy outside the ring, but when he's in the ring you have to do your job. I want to achieve things in boxing so I can't give anyone a chance."
Khan's world title charge is gathering pace and could come as soon as June, but is more likely later in the year.
On a night when he vacated his Commonwealth title, with manager Frank Warren insisting his fighter is now beyond the belt, he emphasised that assertion by announcing his intention to emulate Ricky Hatton and conquer America.
"Boxing is massive in America and I want to break it," he said. "I want to show them who Amir Khan is and beat the best out there. I've been a professional for three years and there is no doubt I will be champion this year. It's around the corner - I can see it.
"I'd love my next fight to be a world title shot. That's my ambition and I'm here to be world champion."
Khan will almost certainly have to wait a little longer, with Warren preferring one more warm-up before letting his impatient charge loose on IBF, WBA and WBO champion Nate Campbell.
"I'd like him to have another fight first," said Warren. "The more fights he has, the more experience he will get." Kristjansen was impressed: "His hands are so fast and he has good combinations with both hands."
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