• Light-welterweight

Khan: The best is yet to come

ESPN staff
April 21, 2013
Amir Khan suffered consecutive defeats before defeating Carlos Molina © PA Photos
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Amir Khan has declared that he is still yet to reach his pinnacle as a fighter, and that he could continue competing in the ring beyond the age of 30.

The 26-year-old light-welterweight faces former IBF champion Julio Diaz in Sheffield on April 27, a fight that could mark Khan's UK farewell as he begins to carve a reputation in the United States.

Khan has not fought on British soil since his defeat of Paul McCloskey in April 2011 but believes that, while he is still improving as a fighter, he is ready to impress the home crowd against Diaz.

"I want to make this a special fight for the fans, a really memorable performance," Khan told the Telegraph. "I'm still not the full package and I'm still learning. "I can see me having ten more fights. But if I feel in great shape when I'm 30 I'll go on even longer.

"As an amateur I was defeated three times in a row. People thought it was the end of me, but I never got beaten after that in 70 fights. I never go in thinking I will lose, but getting beat makes you a better fighter."

Olympic silver-medallist Khan suffered back-to-back defeats against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia on American soil, before defeating Carlos Molina in December; the Bolton-born fighter is now targeting an assault on the world's elite.

"At 26 years old, I'm still a baby in the sport," Khan added. "If you look at the Olympians, most of them are joining the professional ranks around 25 or 26. I'm already a seasoned professional, and my ambition is to face the best in the world.

"I'd like to move up to the 147lb division, where there are superfights."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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