KHAN PROMISES TO SCHOOL KOTELNIK

Amir Khan has hit back at Andreas Kotelnik and promised to give him a boxing lesson on July 18 at the M.E.N Arena.

Khan, 22, has blasted the Ukrainian from his LA gym after the WBA World Light-Welterweight champion claimed he was a little boy who was going to take a beating.

"If he's going around saying that I am a kid then I will let my fists do the talking," said Khan.

"He's going to be in for a shock.

"If he thinks it is going to be an easy fight for him then he has got something else coming.

"It will be exciting but at the end of the day it will be me with the belt around my waist and we will see who the child is then.

"His trash talk has made me train a lot harder, made me focused. Knowing someone out there is talking bad about you makes you want to go out there and prove him wrong.

"I'm going to give him a boxing lesson. I am confident that I am going to be the teacher and show him what boxing is all about."

Khan also hit back at suggestions by Kotelnik that he would repeat Breidis Prescott's first round KO victory in September last year.

And he said it would be Kotelnik who'd be visiting the canvas.

"The fight against Breidis Prescott, it just happened, it was just a mistake," said Khan.

"My defence has really come on now. I don't think that Andreas Kotelnik can get a shot on me I'll be so sharp.

"He will have to find my chin if he is going to knock me out and I don't think he is going to find it.

"I'm going to be the first guy to knock him out.

"I'm not going to be too big-headed, but I don't think he has ever been in with someone like me. Moving to 140 pounds has made me stronger, fitter and more explosive. I hit harder.

"Who was the last fighter that he fought? I would have knocked him out.

"I can be the first man to stop Andreas Kotelnik. I have got the energy to go the full 12 rounds, but if he is hurt I will put the pressure on him and I can see a late stoppage happening."

Betfred, the official betting parter of the show, has Khan is the favourite at 8/15, kotelnik at 6/4 and the draw is 25/1.  For further information log on to www.betfred.com

Tickets priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150, £200, £300 & £500 are available from:

M.E.N Arena Box Office: 0844 847 8000 or online at www.men-arena.com
See Tickets: 0871 220 0260 or online at www.seetickets.co.uk
Khan Boxing: 01204 535 332 or online at www.amirkhan-boxing.com

He might now be referred to as the former British and European Champion but Jon Thaxton would clearly prefer the term, future British and European Champion. It’s been a roller coaster two years for the Norwich lightweight but despite 17 years in the pro ranks Thaxton promises that there are plenty more thrills and spills to come.

His first objective is to get back to winning ways in London next month following the controversial loss of his European title last time out. Thaxton will feature on the undercard of the Danny McIntosh – Nathan Cleverly British Light Heavyweight title fight at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on July 18. The Hennessy Sports event is live on ITV4 and Thaxton is determined to prove that he is far from a spent force.

The 34-year-old is firmly focused on regaining his beloved British and European titles and in the case of the British title winning a Lonsdale belt for keeps. The title is currently vacant following John Murray’s failure to make the weight ahead of his impressive win over Scott Lawton earlier this month.

Thaxton however is in prime position to regain his old crown in the autumn having already been awarded the position of mandatory challenger. With the title now vacant Thaxton is waiting to hear who the BBB of C will nominate as his co-challenger.

“It’s up to the Board who they match with me for the vacant title but I’ve no problem getting it on with anyone in the country,” said Thaxton. “I personally hope it will be John Murray. That’s the fight I want. He’s the unbeaten, young up and coming guy and I know me and him in the same boxing ring will be one hell of a fight. It’s one of those fights that will have people split down the middle but I believe I have the style, the experience and the power to defeat him.

“Ever since I turned pro as an 18 year old it’s been an ambition of mine to win a Lonsdale belt outright and I’m just one win from that. It took me thirteen years and three attempts to win it for the first time but I never gave up hope and now I want to win it for keeps. That would be a tremendous achievement and it’s something I would treasure. I want that belt on my mantelpiece and its one thing that’s really driving me on now.”

Thaxton also has plans to regain the European title which he lost on a contentious points decision to Frenchman Anthony Mezaache in February. “I thought I won that fight and a lot of people agreed with me but unfortunately the 3 judges saw it the other way and they are the people that matter.

“I should have had him out of there in the first round when I had him down but he spat out his gum shield and bought himself some time that way. I’m a sporting guy but that for me wasn’t playing by the rules.”

Thaxton admits that the defeat had him contemplating retirement, if only for 24 hours. “It was a bitter pill to swallow then and it still is now but you have to move on. I got up the day after the fight and thought maybe that’s it for me but by the time the next morning had come around I knew I wanted that title back.”

The first step on the road back will come at the York Hall on July 18th and Thaxton says he can’t wait for that first bell. “I’m counting down the days right now and I’m very happy with the way I’m performing in the gym. Even at 34 and after 17 years in the professional game I still feel that I’m learning and getting better. I really believe I have not just one, but a few more big fights left in me.

“I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the way I lost my European title. It cost me a World title fight so I’ve a point to prove now and that makes me a very dangerous fighter. My determination, discipline and dedication has got me to British and European titles and I’m very proud of that and my ambition now is go get both of those titles back again and then take it from there.”

A clash of unbeaten fighters tops the bill at the York Hall on July 18th with Danny McIntosh and Nathan Cleverly squaring off for the British Light Heavyweight title. The undercard features Thaxton alongside unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury and Ireland’s European Union Lightweight Champion Andy Murray.

Hot prospects Steve O’Meara, Dwayne Lewis, Bradley Evans, Del Rogers and Bobby Ward also feature on an action packed night of championship boxing. Tickets priced from £35 are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.