Amir set to rule the world (From The Bolton News)

Amir set to rule the world

AMIR Khan could not have had a more sensational start to his professional career.

It took the Olympic silver medallist just 109 seconds to dispose of David Bailey in the most clinical fashion and his performance must have sent a shudder through the lightweight ranks.

Bailey had previously had seven fights and never been stopped, but looked raw and inexperienced as Khan twice knocked him down before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Bailey's trainer Eugene Maloney was fuming after the fight as he had thrown in the towel after the second knockdown but referee Phil Edwards continued the contest.

There had been a massive build-up to Khan's professional debut, despite it being scheduled for just four three minute rounds, but the Bolton boxer did not disappoint in front of more than 5,000 screaming fans packed into a sweltering Bolton Arena.

The fight did not last long but the atmosphere was electric, and the crowd, with many sporting shirts emblazened with the words "King Khan's Barmy Army", gave their hero a standing ovation as he took his bow at each corner of the ring.

Khan was undoubtedly the star of the show, even though he had been on the undercard of what should have been the British heavyweight title fight between the champion Matt Skelton and Danny Williams.

On the morning of the fight, Williams dramatically pulled out claiming he had flu, leaving an angry promoter Frank Warren red-faced on his first live television boxing show since his switch, in a two-year deal, from Sky to ITV.

Fortunately, Chesterfield's gutsy Mark Krence, stepped in with just 12 hours notice, and battled away for seven rounds before retiring with a rib injury.

It was left to Khan to provide the fireworks and he did not disappoint.

His performance was short and sweet but it provided a taster to what the talented teenager has to offer and underlined his belief that he can win a world title before the age of 21.

Bailey, whose glittery shorts even outshone Khan's silvery-white outfit, charged at his opponent straight from the bell and tried to chase him around the ring.

Within the opening half minute Khan had countered with a lightning left and right combination which dumped the Londoner on the deck for a count of nine.

The frantic action continued with Khan unloading a flashing left which dumped a bloodied Bailey on the canvas again for another count of nine.

Maloney threw the towel in and clambered inside the ring - but again Edwards took no notice and let Bailey fight on. Khan rocked Bailey's head back with lefts and rights, before the referee finally stepped in to prevent any further punishment.

A dazed Bailey, sporting red marks on his forehead said: "He was good. I tried to mess him up, but he was too big. I usually fight at super-featherweight and he was too strong."

Maloney was full of praise for Khan but incensed that the referee did not stop the fight earlier.

He said: "It is no disgrace Bailey has got beaten by a future world champion. He tried to do the best he could but it wasn't good enough.

"He got outclassed and got not knocked down, but he got up and tried to put Khan down. That boy has too much heart and that is what people like me are in the corner for.

"The referee is blind and a disgrace. I threw the towel in, shouted and screamed at him and stepped in the ring, but he still let that boy get spanked round the ring. It was disgusting.

"Khan is a world class fighter and will do that to anybody who is put in front of him.

"Bailey has had seven fights and never been treated like that. He has been in with some good boys. Khan is a class fighter. They weren't just knockdowns they were crisp punches. I threw the towel in after the second knockdown but the referee continued the fight and let him get beat up.

"Frank Warren has said he will make Khan into a world champion and anyone who has seen the fight knows that will happen. He has the speed - he is like lightning."

Khan, who was delighted with his debut performance, said: "I did not know what to expect but it seemed that it was me who had been a pro for a long time. I would have loved to have gone four rounds but when I saw the opening I tried to catch him. He came rushing at me."

Ed Simons, chief executive of Frank Warren's Sports Network said: "It was a terrific start, you could not have asked for more. Khan was fantastic but he and his trainer are disappointed it did not last longer. The kid he fought had never been knocked down but he hit him very hard. Amir did not back off once, he held his position and boxed him."