By Mark Vester
Amir Khan (13-0, 10KOs), one of the brightest prospects in boxing, overcame a sixth round knockdown to fight his way to an eighth-round stoppage of Scotsman Willie Limond (28-2) to win the Commonwealth (British Empire) Lightweight Title at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Limond came to the ring with only a single loss on his 28-1 record, which came at the hands of Alex Arthur. He first caught Khan, 20, in the fourth with solid punches that shook his legs.
A combination of three punches in the sixth sent Khan down hard. Limond tried to finish as Khan got to his feet and was seriously dazed and stumbling around the ring. He was able to survive the round and began to unload on Limond in the seventh. A serious of punches against the ropes sent Limond down.
In the eight, Khan came out like a warrior, punishing his opponent with power punches as blood began to pour from Limond's mouth.
Before the start of the ninth, Limond's corner stopped the fight after receiving advice from the ring doctor, who told them their fighter had suffered a badly broken jaw.
"At least I have shown that I can take shots and come back even when I am hurt," Khan said. "I made a mistake and got caught with a right hand. It could have changed the fight but it didn't. I showed I have got a good chin. Good fighters go down, get back up and knock the other guy down - and I did that. I was a bit anxious out there. I wanted to commit myself too much. It was very hard. Willie is a great fighter, strong going forwards and skilful. But it is my first major title and I loved it in there."
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