LONDON, July 15: Amir Khan climbed off the canvas to keep his unbeaten record intact and win the Commonwealth lightweight title at the end of eight rounds at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday.

The undefeated Englishman overcame his biggest scare yet of his 13-fight professional career when he was sent to the canvas in the sixth round by Scotsman Willie Limond.

Amir, 20, was caught by heavy blows to the head and after getting to his feet after the count he stumbled around the ring for the rest of the round in a concussed daze.

But Amir's head cleared and he returned fire to drop the Scotsman in the following round and after more punishment in the eighth, Limond was stopped on the advice of the doctor before the start of the ninth round because of a broken jaw.

Glaswegian Limond, 28, climbed into the ring with only one defeat in an eight-year professional career – and that was to fellow Scot Alex Arthur who challenges for the WBO super-featherweight interim title next Saturday.

Limond, who has operated at super-featherweight for most of his career, landed two solid rights in the fourth to test the Bolton boxer's chin like never before in the pro ranks.

Amir looked comfortable on his toes but he was caught by a counter right followed by a left and right that sent him down.

When his head finally cleared Amir went back on the attack, with a right rocking Limond before a flurry of hooks to the

head from either hand sent the Scot slipping to the canvas via the ropes.

Limond suffered more punishment in the eighth and with blood streaming from his mouth, the bout was called off before the ninth round.—AFP