By Simon Hirst: British Lightweight Amir Khan, fresh off his win against Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, will step up in weight to take on WBA light-welterweight Andreas Kotelnik for his WBA strap. It will be Khan’s first fight at this weight and with Kotelnik considered the weakest champion in the division, with Juan Urango and Timothy Bradley considered harder opponents, Khan has a good chance of winning his first world title.
It’s another brave move by Khan and promoter Frank Warren to take on the Hamburg-based Ukrainian. However, with few options at lightweight, Warren feels it is the right time to step Khan up to 10st for a title shot.
“This is the moment that Amir has been waiting for and I’m delighted to deliver him the opportunity,” Warren told frankwarren.tv.
“Amir put in a sensational performance against a three time world champion and future Hall of Famer in Barrera in only his 21st fight and now he has to produce the same form against Kotelnik who is a good hard fighter.”
Kotelnik, also an Olympic silver medalist in 2000, has never been stopped in a 33-fight career, and has previous form against British fighters. The 31-year-old experienced a controversial points loss to Junior Witter in a European title fight four years ago, but out boxed the WBA title from Gavin Rees just over 12 months ago.
Coming of a split points decision against formerly unbeaten Argentine Marcos Rene Maidana in his second defense of the title, Kotelnik should not be underestimated as he has the skills to give Khan a good fight. Khan, who acknowledged he is impressed by his opponent, must show similar tools in which he used to dispatch Barrera, although Kotelnik will probably prove to be a harder fight for the man from Bolton.
“I’ve seen Kotelnik a few times and I’ve always been impressed by him,” Khan said. “But, once my trainer Freddie Roach works out the game plan to beat him, it’s my job to execute it on the night as I did effectively against Barrera.”
“This is the best news that I could have received. To fight for the world title in only my 22nd fight and at the age of just 22 is fantastic.”
“Frank has done a great job getting the world title fight for me in Britain and now I have to go out and win it.”
The contest will take place on June 27 in the UK although a venue has yet to be announced.
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