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Norfolk boxer Jon Thaxton has been named number one contender for the European lightweight title - but he says his eyes are still firmly fixed on bringing golden boy Amir Khan down to earth.
British champion Thaxton is already first in waiting for Khan's Commonwealth crown, and says he has put his management and promotions team on red alert for the Olympic silver medallist.
"I have said to my team that the next time I defend my British title it will be against the mandatory contender - and that's either Amir Khan or Graham Earl," said Thaxton.
"I see that fight as the semi-final if you like, with me already in the final, and it will prove who is the best fighter in Britain.
"I know Khan will beat Earl and I hope he does it in style so that (promoter) Frank Warren will then say it's time to test the water with me.
"Come on, I'm an old man - if he can't beat an old man like me where is he going?"
The war of words between Khan and Thaxton has been escalating in recent months, Thaxton accusing the youngster from Bolton of disrespect.
Thaxton even offered to spare Khan's promoters the cost of his purse if the two could get together in a winner-takes-all showdown.
And now with Khan facing Earl on his 21st birthday - December 8 - Thaxton is eager for a match-up in the new year.
"I want Amir Khan," said the 33-year-old Norwich man. "I think he has been a bit disrespectful. He is high-profile, probably the most high-profile fighter in the country - he's on TV and he has his Olympic medal behind him.
"He's young and ambitious, but he is shouting his mouth off and he has gone about this in the wrong way.
"I want this fight, he says he wants it, but I'm not sure if others want it."
There are clear risks for Khan should he go up against the big-hitting and ring-wise Thaxton - and the city man knows that what he wants and what he might get are two very different things in the world of boxing.
"It's all about me being patient and letting the powers that be work my corner and what is best for me," he said. "What I think should happen is not always what does happen, but I feel it could be a good 2008 for me.
"I've had a good year, I've defended my title twice and I want the chance to keep the Lonsdale belt forever.
"It was more than 11½ years ago that I fought Scrap Iron Ryan, I was British number one that long ago. I think that proves something."
The current European champion is Russian Yuri Romanov, who last month retained his title with a points victory over 41-year-old former world champion Stefano Zoff in Minsk, Belarus.
British champion Thaxton is already first in waiting for Khan's Commonwealth crown, and says he has put his management and promotions team on red alert for the Olympic silver medallist.
"I have said to my team that the next time I defend my British title it will be against the mandatory contender - and that's either Amir Khan or Graham Earl," said Thaxton.
"I see that fight as the semi-final if you like, with me already in the final, and it will prove who is the best fighter in Britain.
"I know Khan will beat Earl and I hope he does it in style so that (promoter) Frank Warren will then say it's time to test the water with me.
"Come on, I'm an old man - if he can't beat an old man like me where is he going?"
The war of words between Khan and Thaxton has been escalating in recent months, Thaxton accusing the youngster from Bolton of disrespect.
Thaxton even offered to spare Khan's promoters the cost of his purse if the two could get together in a winner-takes-all showdown.
And now with Khan facing Earl on his 21st birthday - December 8 - Thaxton is eager for a match-up in the new year.
"I want Amir Khan," said the 33-year-old Norwich man. "I think he has been a bit disrespectful. He is high-profile, probably the most high-profile fighter in the country - he's on TV and he has his Olympic medal behind him.
"He's young and ambitious, but he is shouting his mouth off and he has gone about this in the wrong way.
"I want this fight, he says he wants it, but I'm not sure if others want it."
There are clear risks for Khan should he go up against the big-hitting and ring-wise Thaxton - and the city man knows that what he wants and what he might get are two very different things in the world of boxing.
"It's all about me being patient and letting the powers that be work my corner and what is best for me," he said. "What I think should happen is not always what does happen, but I feel it could be a good 2008 for me.
"I've had a good year, I've defended my title twice and I want the chance to keep the Lonsdale belt forever.
"It was more than 11½ years ago that I fought Scrap Iron Ryan, I was British number one that long ago. I think that proves something."
The current European champion is Russian Yuri Romanov, who last month retained his title with a points victory over 41-year-old former world champion Stefano Zoff in Minsk, Belarus.
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