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Khan defends title with gritty display

22/06/2008

Amir Khan defended his Commonwealth lightweight title with a gritty display against Michael Gomez in Birmingham on Saturday night.

Khan, now undefeated in 18 professional fights, was floored in the second round by a powerful left hook from Gomez but recovered to defeat his 31-year-old opponent in the fifth round.

The 21-year-old knocked Gomez down in the first round after a combination of accurate punches but the challenger responded in fine style to send Khan tumbling the very next round.

Khan was hurt once more by a ferocious left hook to the body in the fourth round by Manchester's Gomez.

However, the young Bolton fighter used his superior speed to counter with a series of powerful combinations.

A blow to the body from Khan in the fifth left Gomez once more on the canvas and a series of connecting blows later in the round led to referee John Keane intervening to stop the fight.