June 23, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 18, 1429

BIRMINGHAM, June 22: Amir Khan had to pick himself up off the floor before successfully defending his Commonwealth lightweight title with a fifth-round stoppage of Michael Gomez at the National Indoor Arena here on Saturday.

Victory meant Amir had won all 18 of his fights since turning professional after winning a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

But Amir, having knocked Gomez down in the first round, was on the canvas himself early in the second and this fierce yet brief contest suggested the British rising star was still some way off fighting for a world title.

Amir, 21, dominated the first round and landed a powerful right uppercut before a combination of punches floored Gomez who, when he got back up, was then hit by a series of heavy blows.

However, he survived the onslaught and hit back at the start of the second round when his left hook over the top of a jab saw Gomez, 31 on Saturday, knock down Amir, who had to take a standing count and looked unsteady on his legs for several seconds afterwards.

Amir was being dragged into Gomez’s fight, with much of the action taking place at close quarters.

Nevertheless Amir’s superior hand speed saw him land with a succession of heavy punches.

But in the fourth Gomez landed with a forceful hook to the ribs hurting Amir, who again responded with a flurry of blows.

Early in the fifth Amir dropped Gomez to the canvas again with a powerful body shot. Gomez was absorbing plenty of punishment, including a series of jabs to the head, but still kept coming forward.

However, after another burst from Amir, referee John Keane stopped the contest to the evident dismay of the brave Gomez, who by this stage looked all but out on his feet.—AFP