AMIR Khan, who pulled out of the ABA Championships at the quarter-final stage, has challenged new light-welterweight champion Michael Grant to put the title he won on Friday night on the line.

Olympic silver-medallist Khan hopes to meet Mario Kindelan, the Cuban who outpointed him in last year's lightweight final in Athens, in Bolton on April 16 in what is expected to be his farewell to the amateur ranks before he turns professional.

But he said: "If I can't fight Kindelan, I'm up for fighting Grant. Perhaps he would like to put his title up so we can see who is the real champion."

Khan, who quit the title race following a ticket row which preceded the quarter-finals at Great Yarmouth, made his challenge after watching 21-year-old Londoner Grant outpoint Swindon's Jamie Cox 16-14 in the final at London's ExCel Centre.

Although, unlike in professional boxing, the title cannot be contested again - Grant will go into the record books as 2005 champion for eternity - the London boxer would be more than happy to meet his old England amateur squad-mate.

Following his victory over Cox, Grant said: "It would have been even better if it had been me and Amir Khan in the final.

"I sparred with Amir once and it was 50-50."

Khan disputed that, saying: "I got the better of him. Our styles are similar but I'm a lot quicker. Respect to both of the lads who fought but I think I could beat them both hands down.

"If it hadn't been for the ticket issue I'd have been in the ABAs and I think there would have been a different champion. I've read articles where they're saying I'm chicken but I'm not because I'm ready to box him.

"If we don't meet him in the amateur game then, you never know, we might meet in the professional game one day."

Khan is still maintaining that he has not yet made a final decision on turning professional - but Grant may be forced to do that.

"I'm not getting funded at the moment by England. Boxing's my life and my career but I can't carry on like this," he said.

"My mum and my girlfriend Shakila, who has a good job, are funding my boxing at the moment," added Grant, who insists he is not envious of the riches on offer to Kahn following his Olympic exploits.

"I take my hat off to him. He's a brilliant boxer and he was in the right place at the right time - but I think I'd beat anyone in the form I'm in."