You are in > manchester.com  > News > Khan earns points victory

Boxing

Khan earns points victory

03/02/2008

Amir Khan is set to challenge for a world title this year after an accomplished points victory over Gairy St Clair last night.

The 21-year-old secured a 120-108 victory on points after being taken the full distance by St Clair, who has never suffered a knock-down in his whole career.

Guyana-born St Clair's resilience and experience helped in taking the Commonwealth lightweight champion the full 12 rounds, but Khan never appeared likely to surrender a well-established lead on points which he built up in the opening stages of the bout at the ExCel Arena in London.

"I've beaten a world class opponent and I want to become world champion this year," Khan commented after the fight.

The Bolton boxer was sharp out of the corner against 33-year old St Clair, but there was no repeat of the youngster's recent 72-second victory over Graham Earl.

Former IBF world featherweight champion St Clair absorbed Khan's early blows and hoped to capitalise on the tiring youngster in the second half of the fight.

But in comfortably lasting the distance, Khan lauded his fitness in preparation for the bout.

"I'd done the training and knew I had the fitness in the tank to go the 12 rounds," he said.

"My strength helped a lot. We've done lower-body strength and upper-body strength work - and it all paid off," Khan added.

All three judges awarded the Bolton youngster the victory with St Clair failing to win a single round.