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Khan hopes for inspiration on return to Las Vegas

Amir Khan outlasted Marcos Maidana on his last visit to Las Vegas © PA Photos

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Amir Khan is proud to be returning to Las Vegas to fight for the second time in his young career, and hopes he will be able to replicate his first appearance in Nevada when he takes on Zab Judah on Saturday.

The 24-year-old came through a gruelling encounter against Marcos Maidana on his first appearance at the Mandalay Bay Resort back in 2010, staying on his feet despite some thunderous shots from the Argentinian in the tenth round to eventually claim an impressive decision victory.

Preparing to return to the same venue for a light-welterweight unification fight against the American Judah, the WBA champion is proud to be back in Las Vegas and expects to put on a show.

"Vegas is the Mecca of boxing nowadays," Khan said. "The biggest fights are over there and the Mandalay Bay has seen some big, big fights.

"It's the second time I'm going there and I'm only 24. Not many fighters have ever done that at this age. Normally fighters head there towards the end of their careers.

"I love fighting away from home because I'm not one to feel like the outsider. It's going to bring out the best in me."

Looking to build his reputation in the United States with a victory over Judah before potentially moving on to a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr within the next 18 months, Khan is aware of the crucial role the Maidana fight played in getting him to this stage.

"It was a very important fight for me," said Khan. "It was my first one in Vegas and that makes you nervous. You want to leave a statement and I think I did that.

"Very often people can go to Vegas, fight and it's soon forgotten about. But my fight against Maidana is never going to be forgotten.

"People will always talk about it as being the best fight of 2010."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.