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Khan turns down Thaxton fight

08/01/2008

Amir Khan appears to have set sights on a world title challenge within the year after he withdrew from negotiations for a match-up against fellow Briton Jon Thaxton.

Khan may now have to surrender his Commonwealth lightweight title after Thaxton's attempt to lure him by putting his own British crown on the line at the same fight failed.

A deadline of midday today passed without Khan accepting conditions that would have ensured a meeting between the pair by the end of April.

Khan's promoter Frank Warren bypassed the purse bid with a late offer direct to the Thaxton camp, but the Norwich man turned down his overtures to wreck hopes of a high-profile all-British match.

The Bolton-born Olympic silver medallist is eager to step up for a world title shot, although Warren has warned his 21-year-old charge to bide his time.

But it now seems that his next bout, a clash with Denmark's Martin Kristjansen for the vacant WBO inter-continental belt on February 2nd, will be used a stepping stone for taking on the world's, rather than just England's, best.

Khan claimed late last year that he would schedule a clash with Thaxton before moving up for a world title shot, but he now appears to have rearranged his plans.

"Even if I become world champion I will still come back and fight Thaxton just to shut him up. I fancy the fight more than Thaxton fancies it," Khan told the BBC.