AMIR Khan returns to the ring in Birmingham next Saturday promising to put in another explosive display against Colombian Samuel Vargas.

And he hopes another standout victory would set up a big date next against either Manny Pacquiao or long-time British rival Kell Brook.

Bolton’s former unified world champion has his second fight of 2018 – his 37th career outing – against Vargas following his 39-second stoppage of Phil Lo Greco in Liverpool in April – his first bout in almost two years.

And he believes he can despatch Vargas in similar fashion as he bids to step back up to world-title level.

Khan said: “I want those big fights again and they will happen, but first I have to put in a performance next Saturday against Vargas and show what I’m still about.

“I have to make sure I win and then we can look at a big fight next.

“Kell Brook has said he would fight me at 147lb or Manny Pacquiao is out there and both are fights I know at my best I can win.

“But Vargas is my main focus for now.”

Khan is returning to welterweight for the first time in more than three years, believing 147lb is his natural weight.

The 2004 Olympic silver medallist is now 31 but says he feels as sharp as ever after a 10-week training camp with new trainer Joe Goossen in Los Angeles.

He added: “I think 147 is my natural weight and I am better at this weight.

“After three or four weeks after beating Lo Greco I was back in camp with Joe and it has gone really well with him over in LA.

“We have had some tough sparring and he has got me running every day but I feel as fit now at 31 as I was at 26 or 27 – I feel I’m in my prime.

“I am more than ready for Vargas.”