BOLTON (England), Dec 7: Amir Khan, the brightest young prospect in British boxing, will mark his 21st birthday on Saturday with his toughest challenge yet — a Commonwealth lightweight title defence against compatriot Graham Earl.

Earl, 29, is an experienced operator who is good enough to have fought for a world title belt — he lost to Australia’s Michael Katsidis in a February bout for the WBO interim lightweight title.

“It’s the next step up for me in the boxing game,” acknowledged Amir. “Graham has won European titles, British, Commonwealth titles. So yes, this is the next step up for me and it’s going to take me to that next level.”Amir, an Olympic silver medallist who is unbeaten in 14 fights since he turned professional in 2005, has trained harder for this fight than ever before.

“Training couldn’t have gone any better, not only the strength and conditioning but we’ve also been putting new things in the training camp that I’ve not done before,” he stated. “The fitness is there and the strength is there. I’ve gone on a diet with my nutritionist and I’m already on the weight. I’m nine stone 10 pounds now, sat here. So I’m not struggling with the weight, I’m making it very easily.

“I feel fit and think I’m in the best shape ever. So I will be strong and sharp for this fight.”

Earl was equally confident, predicting that he would shatter Amir’s aura of invincibility.

“He will be facing a top Graham Earl,” he said. “There have been no shortcuts, so there will be no excuses.

“The fight with Katsidis has done me more good than harm. I had a good rest after it and reflected on what I needed to do to change. If I had thought I couldn’t change, I would have packed it in.

“But I still feel there’s a lot out there for me to get. I’m in the best shape mentally and physically that I’ve ever been in,’” Earl expressed.—AFP