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Boxing

Khan expecting tough test

24/02/2006

Teenage boxing sensation Amir Khan insists he is not taking tomorrow's opponent lightly despite the fact the bookies are again overwhelmingly predicting a first-round stoppage.

The 19-year-old Bolton fighter has won all five professional fights, with four coming via knock out, since turning pro shortly after winning an Olympic silver medal at Athens in 2004.

His most recent victory, over his supposed toughest opponent to date, was also his most emphatic as he floored young Belarussian Vitali Martynov in the first round in Nottingham just under a month ago.

Tomorrow's challenge at London's ExCel Arena comes from Jackson Williams, a trainee teacher at Norwich College, who boasts an unspectacular record of 12 wins, none coming via knock out, and three losses.

But despite all this counting against Williams, 23, Khan insists he is expecting his less-illustrious opponent to put up a fight.

"It's going to be a tough fight - Williams is a tough lad," Khan said. "This is a very big chance for him too."

But despite the respect, Khan is clearly in buoyant mood to continue his boxing education in the best possible fashion.

"I'm going to go in and box Williams," he added. "I want to see if I can do the six rounds.

"But if I catch him with a good early shot you don't know what might happen. I never go for the knockout but if it comes and they go, then they go."

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