KO blow for Amir's world-title hopes

8:55am Tuesday 17th June 2008

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AMIR Khan will have to wait a little longer for a world-title fight after he lost his WBO number one ranking.

The 21-year-old Bolton whizz-kid earned himself a shot at the title when he stopped Danish number one contender Martin Kristjansen in his last fight.

But he has been put down the pecking order by Joan Guzman's decision to vacate his super-featherweight title and move up to lightweight.

The fact that Guzman is an unbeaten world champion means he gets priority over Khan.

WBO, IBF and WBA champion is Nate Campbell, who surprisingly beat Juan Diaz earlier this year. Diaz, who suffered his only defeat in that bout, looks to get his career back on track when he fights WBO interim title holder Joel Casemayor in September.

Guzman is now also in the mix and it will take a series of fights before Khan gets his chance to step up to the plate.

Commonwealth champion Khan, who takes on Michael Gomez in Birmingham on Saturday, is still confident, however, he will fight for a world title later this year and promoter Frank Warren has admitted he is trying to get his charge a meeting with Campbell.

"If I keep beating everyone they put in front of me I know then eventually I will get the chance to fight for a world title," he admitted.

"Earl, Limond and Gomez are the type of fights I needed to gain experience and the more fights I have before a world-title shot the better.

"Boxing has so much politics about it. It is not as easy as picking up a phone and saying I want a world-title fight.

"You have to earn your way up there and people like Guzman have the priority.

"I can wait six to eight months for a chance against Campbell or Casemayor and they could pull out or even vacate the title. I might as well get a couple of fights in while I am waiting.

"My chance will come."

Khan defends his Commonwealth lightweight title against Gomez. The fight will be screened live by ITV.