Amir Khan becomes new world light-welterweight boxing champion
July 19th, 2009 - 12:23 pm ICT by ANILondon, July 19 (ANI): British boxer Amir Khan defeated titleholder Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik to become the new world champion.
After taking the WBA light-welterweight title at the MEN arena in Manchester, Khan said: “It’s the best feeling ever.”
He won just 10 months after suffering a devastating knockout defeat by unknown Colombian Breidis Prescott.
The 22-year-old from Bolton won the fight with a slick unanimous points victory. Khan’s victory completes an impressive turnaround after his world title dreams appeared to be shattered less than a year ago, SKY News reported.
At the same venue in September last year Khan was beaten in less than a minute by underdog Prescott in one of the biggest shocks in British boxing history.
But the 2004 Olympic silver medalist now describes that defeat as a turning point in his career, prompting him to switch trainers and throw caution to the wind.
“It’s the best feeling ever. First of all I wanna thank God, thank my mum and dad and thank Freddie Roach for making this happen,” Khan said.
“Without the team I’ve got it wouldn’t have happened. I want to thank (promoter) Frank Warren. I’m sure we’ve got some big fights in the future coming up. The way my career’s gone, it’s gone brilliant.
“I’m a world champion now, I’m going to have a good break now and enjoy it,” he added. (ANI)
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