KING KHAN A BELTER!
By Fred Burcombe
AMIR KHAN celebrated his 20th birthday this weekend by landing his first professional title and beamed: "I'm so proud — I hope this will be the first of many".
It came at embarrassing cost of being sent to the canvas for the first time since leaving the amateur ranks.
But he still emerged triumphantly from his first 10-rounder and his step up to light-welterweight to win the IBF inter-continental championship against Rachid Drilzane.
Khan, now unbeaten in 10 fights, was an overwhelming 99-91 winner with all three judges in the
News of the World-sponsored bout.
But the Bolton boxer was adamant he had not been floored and insisted: "That was never a count. I wasn't knocked down.
"My foot got caught in the rope and there was no punch thrown. Even the ref said ‘sorry'."
However TV pictures showed the Frenchman had landed and Khan's glove touched the canvas.
Referee Paul Thomas seemed to begin the mandatory standing eight count — and then abandoned it.
Former world champion Barry McGuigan said: "If you want to be pedantic, it was a knockdown. But Amir was nice and sensible with his punches. It was a magnificent performance against a big fella."
Olympic silver medallist Khan will be told by his harshest critics that he still has work to do on his defence and stamina.
But he hit back: "It was my first 10-rounder — I've never even done 10 rounds in a sparring session. The most I've done is eight.
"I stepped up from lightweight to fight this bigger guy and I've shown I've got the fitness, mental strength and stamina. And I can take a punch.
Caught
"If you take a shower you know you're going to get wet — and when you step in the ring you know you're going to get hit.
"Before this fight I was knocking over everyone promoter Frank Warren gave me.
"But everyone wants to see Amir Khan go the distance."
Delighted Warren added: "Amir got caught with a couple of shots but he is going the right way.
"Everyone likes him, wherever he goes — and he will now step back to lightweight.
"But I don't know whether he will be fighting for a world title this time next year."
Drilzane kept on his sun hat during the pre-fight instructions. But the Frenchman might have been better off with a crash helmet and armour for the opening exchanges.
Khan peppered him for the first six rounds with only momentary lapses, picking his punches, switching from head to body and looking calm and collected throughout.
He drilled combinations into Drilzane's head, which had his opponent rocking back and forth.
The Frenchman was trying to get into the fight for six rounds, with his best weapon a right hand — but in the seventh he opened with a whirlwind flurry and Khan went down on the deck.
Khan recovered well from the interruption to his in-control flow by banging away at his gallant opponent throughout the eighth and ninth rounds.
Drilzane, who never sat down between rounds, was still trying to bang in long and lunging rights, which was a surprise because he has never stopped a pro opponent.
Khan's work-rate — a variety of punches — had the Frenchman blinking and pawing at the bruises around his eyebrows.
But you could not fault him for his gutsy determination.