By Joe Eccleston: With a Olympic silver medal, a win over Barrera and a world champion at just 22 years old it all sound good for the hot prospect from England. With fighters like Calzaghe retired and Hatton looking like his best years are behind him, it looks like the youngster is going to be the future of British boxing with Freddie Roach in his corner and having sparring session against Manny Pacquiao this will only help the young fighter develop.

My worry is not so much about Khan but his oppositions. Too many times has a prospect from the UK spent their best years at home fighting nobodies, then complaining there not getting the credit they deserve. A prime example of this is Joe Calzaghe. Not taking anything away from Joe but i personally give more respect to Ricky Hatton for going to America and fighting the best in the world, fair enough both times he fell well short of the mark and lost his “0” but at least this man give it a go.

As for Amir he still has time rectify this as long as he steps up opponent and fast. People keep going on that he is only a young lad, yes he is but he is also a WORLD champion! Its time we found out whether he is the real deal or just a paper champion. I would like to see him fight someone like Timothy Bradley or Marcos Madiana a win over either of these would make people look at him a say wow this guys for real.

He keeps on talking up a fight with Ricky Hatton but at this stage I would like him fight some top 10 light welters before moving on to fights like that. You earn your pay check against fighters like that i.e. Hatton, Marquez, Pacquiao an Mayweather. Even a shot Ricky Hatton would eat this guy at this present point in time. He needs to earn these fights instead of just thinking the world owes him these fights.

After his fight in December he needs to up his opponent and start earning the respect that he lost when he was blasted out by Brendis Prescott. Good look to the boy hope he can do it and bring the people of the UK many big fights in the future.