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Khan anticipating sternest test
Khan has stopped 12 of his 15 opponents so far
Amir Khan is expecting his toughest fight to date when he defends his Commonwealth lightweight crown against Gairy St Clair in London on Saturday.
Former IBF super-featherweight champion St Clair, 32, has never been stopped or knocked down in his 46-fight career.
"He's tough, he's strong, he's durable, he's the best I've fought so far," said Khan, who is yet to go 12 rounds in his unbeaten 15-fight professional career.
"I've trained for the 12 rounds and if it goes the distance, so be it."
St Clair, who has stepped in to replace the injured Martin Kristjansen, could be the man to exploit any lapse in concentration from the 21-year-old Bolton star.
I've seen a few of Amir's fights, and he likes sticking his chin out
Gairy St Clair
While he has campaigned most of his career at the super-featherweight limit, St Clair has moved up for big fights against the likes of the late Diego Corrales and former WBA light-welterweight king Vivian Harris, both of whom he took the distance.
But Khan is convinced he is fitter and stronger than ever and will get the better of the awkward Aussie, who turns 33 on the day of the fight.
"His style is made for me - I've got the fast hands, fast movement in and out," added Khan.
"If I can stop him it will show how far I've come. The likes of Corrales couldn't stop him.
"But I never go into a fight looking to knock someone out, I go in there to box and win. I've got the fitness but I'll need to pace myself.
"He's got good lateral movement but I've got the speed to catch him and he'll never have faced a guy as fast as me.
"It'll be a good little test for me to see how I can do against someone who's very slippery and awkward. It's a patience fight."
But St Clair believes he has seen *****s in Khan's armour and that he can cause a major upset at the ExCeL Arena.
"I've seen a few of Amir's fights, and he likes sticking his chin out," said St Clair, who has won 39 of his 46 professional encounters.
"I hope he does that against me because it will be the perfect birthday present. I'll clock him one so quick he'll be on the floor before he knows it.
"I'm planning on blowing out his candles inside a few rounds. For me, defeat isn't an option."
St Clair has been able to call on the experience of Johnny Lewis, one of the worlds greatest trainers, for the Khan bout.
Lewis helped guide Kostya Tszyu to the world light-welterweight title and St Clair says his knowledge could prove vital.
"Lewis is like a father to me and the best I've ever worked with," said St Clair. "He knows that I've the tools to beat Khan.
"We've already been working on a few things that I believe will prove decisive in the fight. Khan won't know what's hit him on Saturday night."
Khan has stopped 12 of his 15 opponents so far
Amir Khan is expecting his toughest fight to date when he defends his Commonwealth lightweight crown against Gairy St Clair in London on Saturday.
Former IBF super-featherweight champion St Clair, 32, has never been stopped or knocked down in his 46-fight career.
"He's tough, he's strong, he's durable, he's the best I've fought so far," said Khan, who is yet to go 12 rounds in his unbeaten 15-fight professional career.
"I've trained for the 12 rounds and if it goes the distance, so be it."
St Clair, who has stepped in to replace the injured Martin Kristjansen, could be the man to exploit any lapse in concentration from the 21-year-old Bolton star.
I've seen a few of Amir's fights, and he likes sticking his chin out
Gairy St Clair
While he has campaigned most of his career at the super-featherweight limit, St Clair has moved up for big fights against the likes of the late Diego Corrales and former WBA light-welterweight king Vivian Harris, both of whom he took the distance.
But Khan is convinced he is fitter and stronger than ever and will get the better of the awkward Aussie, who turns 33 on the day of the fight.
"His style is made for me - I've got the fast hands, fast movement in and out," added Khan.
"If I can stop him it will show how far I've come. The likes of Corrales couldn't stop him.
"But I never go into a fight looking to knock someone out, I go in there to box and win. I've got the fitness but I'll need to pace myself.
"He's got good lateral movement but I've got the speed to catch him and he'll never have faced a guy as fast as me.
"It'll be a good little test for me to see how I can do against someone who's very slippery and awkward. It's a patience fight."
But St Clair believes he has seen *****s in Khan's armour and that he can cause a major upset at the ExCeL Arena.
"I've seen a few of Amir's fights, and he likes sticking his chin out," said St Clair, who has won 39 of his 46 professional encounters.
"I hope he does that against me because it will be the perfect birthday present. I'll clock him one so quick he'll be on the floor before he knows it.
"I'm planning on blowing out his candles inside a few rounds. For me, defeat isn't an option."
St Clair has been able to call on the experience of Johnny Lewis, one of the worlds greatest trainers, for the Khan bout.
Lewis helped guide Kostya Tszyu to the world light-welterweight title and St Clair says his knowledge could prove vital.
"Lewis is like a father to me and the best I've ever worked with," said St Clair. "He knows that I've the tools to beat Khan.
"We've already been working on a few things that I believe will prove decisive in the fight. Khan won't know what's hit him on Saturday night."
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