Amir Khan believes he can go straight back into a big fight

The 32-year-old was controversially withdrawn in the sixth round at New York's Madison Square Garden after the WBO World welterweight champion threw a low blow, and he has since been heavily criticised by both the champion and neutral observers.

Some believe Khan should call it a day after a glittering career but a domestic dust-up with long-time rival Kell Brook remains an option for Bolton’s former unified world champion who insists he will fight on.

April 20th at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York. The fight didnt end the way both fighters would of wanted. I would like to thank Toprank, Team Crawford and Espn. I move on now, family time then back to work (boxing), finally thank to all the fans who came 2support. 🥊 pic.twitter.com/K5nmqMQg48

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) April 22, 2019

Facing the Sheffield favourite seemed more likely with both men under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promotional banner but Khan elected to take on Crawford and test himself against one of the pound-for-pound best.

It looks to be a case of now or never for a British grudge match that has been talked about for several years.  

"I'm lucky in that I can go straight back into another big fight if I had to,” said Khan, who picked up fifth defeat in 38 fights on Saturday night.  

“If it's a rebuilding fight it'd depend on where it was taking me.

"I just heard rumours Kell might be signing to fight out in America with ESPN and is not going to be with Eddie Hearn, so that'd kill that fight.

“I'd fight anyone. If that fight's there, for sure."

It was his trainer Virgil Hunter who took the decision to withdraw his fighter against Crawford but the veteran cornerman is also the one encouraging his man to fight on.

"He (Hunter) sent me a really long message,” said Khan.  

“'I've been training a lot of fighters; I would be the first to say call it a day but I don't think you should. There's a lot left in you'.

"A trainer would be the first to say that because he's living with you day-in, day-out.

“But he said 'Look, I don't want you to be disheartened by this; it's not like you were fighting a dud. He's one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound, and you were doing well against him. The shot was low, even he knows that, but when you're fighting in someone else's country and someone else's promotion...'

"He sees me like a son, and treats me like a son. If he thought I should call it a day he'd say, 'Re-think what you're going to do'. If it was a bad performance, he'd be the first to say."