8:35pm Sunday 5th July 2009
By David Magilton
AMIR Khan says the shock defeat of top US prospect Victor Ortiz last week has underlined how difficult his own fight with Andreas Kotelnik is likely to be.
Ortiz was bombed out in six rounds in an interim WBA World light-welterweight title fight by heavy-handed Argentine Marcos Maidana in LA.
Earlier this year, Kotelnik defeated Maidana on a split decision in Germany.
“Maidana’s win at the weekend shows you just how good Kotelnik is,” said 22-year-old Khan, who takes on Kotelnik on July 18 at Manchester’s MEN Arena in a challenge for his WBA light-welterweight title.
“Everyone was talking about Ortiz as the next big thing in boxing, but Maidana just walked him down.
“He punches hard as well, so I know that I’m going to have to do something special to KO Kotelnik — and I will.
“I saw the fight and it was an impressive victory, and shows just how good I need to be if I am to become a world champion.
“Some fighters would get worried about it, but it’s just inspired me. I was working twice as hard with Freddie Roach in the gym the next day.”
Khan is refusing to look beyond his clash with the Ukrainian and is focused exclusively on the fight.
“It would be really stupid to start thinking about other fights,” said the Bolton fighter. “I am fully focussed on beating Kotelnik, and haven't even looked at any potential future opponents.
“Everything has been geared to winning on July 18 and I am confident that's what will happen.”
Betfred, the official betting parter of the show, has Khan as favourite at 8-15, Kotelnik at 6-4 and the draw 25-1. For more information visit www.betfred.com Tickets range from £40 to £500 and are available from the MEN Arena box office (0844 847 8000 or online at www.men-arena.com), from See Tickets (0871 220 0260, online at www.seetickets.co.uk) and Khan Boxing (01204 535 332 or online at www.amirkhan-boxing.com).
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