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By Nabil Hassan
BBC Sport in Newcastle |
Britain's WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan says he intends to fight in the United States for the first time in 2010.
Khan defended his title with a stunning 76-second defeat over Ukrainian Dmitriy Salita in Newcastle on Saturday.
"After the reception I got in Newcastle it will be hard to leave England but next year will be a good time to fight in the States," Khan told BBC Sport.
"Hopefully we can go and shock the world when we go to America."
The 22-year-old is currently based in Los Angeles since teaming up with trainer Freddie Roach last year.
And the Bolton fighter says the time has now come to fulfil a life-long dream and box in the United States.
"Everyone at the gym in LA are always asking me when I'm going to fight in the US and I keep on saying, "soon"," admitted Khan.
"I've been saying it for so long that they've stopped asking me, but it's always been my dream to fight in Las Vegas."
But while Khan is certain that he wants to fight in the States, he is not so sure of who he will fight next.
Khan, who now has 22 victories from 23 fights, says he intends to sit down after Christmas with promoter Frank Warren and trainer Freddie Roach to discuss his options.
"I'm sure I've sent a message out," said Khan.
"You want to fight the best and we'll sit down and see what fights are out there for me."
Roach was more forthcoming, revealing Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and American duo Luis Costillo and Zab Judah as possible options, with Britain's Ricky Hatton also a potential opponent.
Warren admitted that it is only a matter of time before Khan will fight in front of an American audience.
"Of course he will go and fight in the States," Warren told BBC Sport.
"What fighter doesn't want to go over to America and fight at Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas?"
The spectacular nature of Khan's victory over the previously unbeaten Salita surprised even the boxer himself, with the Bolton man admitting he had not expected it to be over so quickly.
"It happened quicker than I thought it would," said Khan.
"We've been working a lot on the left jab, right hook combination and making it powerful and I thought I'd knock him out but not that soon."
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Roach even joked that he missed the first knockdown (which happened inside 10 seconds) with the American saying he was still walking down the ring steps when Salita went flying to the canvas.
Two more knockdowns followed and Salita's dream of stealing Khan's WBA title was over.
The Ukrainian-born, American-based 27-year-old cut a sorry figure in the post-fight press conference, admitting he was completely overwhelmed by Khan's speed.
"He started fast, faster than most of the people I've faced and caught me early with a couple of good shots," Salita told BBC Sport.
"I really didn't have an opportunity to get going. He has very quick hands and I didn't see the punches coming."
Khan added: "I didn't go in trying to win the fight in the first round, it just happened.
"You don't get paid for overtime and if you can win a fight in the first round then you have to do it."
Khan's next fight will be likely be in spring with the Bolton fighter just pleased to end what has been a fine year on a high.
"To finish the year off with a good performance and with the title is fantastic," added Khan.
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