By Mark Vester
Unbeaten British lightweight champ Amir Khan is targeting the two of the major players in the lightweight division.
During a recent interview with PA Sport, Khan called for fights with Nate Campbell, who recently beat Juan Diaz to capture the WBO/IBF/WBA lightweight belts and Joel Casamayor, the WBO-interim champion who recently stopped undefeated Michael Katsidis. Khan feels the division is wide open after the upsets of Diaz and Katsidis.
"It's up for grabs now. I want to clean up the lightweight division and I have no doubts I will be world champion by the end of this year. It is there for whoever is able to take the chance and I am the man to do it," Khan said. "I think with my pace and speed I would wear them down. My hand speed and my power has won fights so far but going the 12-round distance last time has given me a lot of confidence."
Promoter Frank Warren would love to match Khan against either Campbell or Casamayor by the end of the year.
"A win will give him a fantastic opportunity to fight for a world title sooner rather than later," said Warren. "We're looking at Campbell and with a bit of luck we will get there by the end of the year."
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