26.01.07 – Bolton wonderkid Amir Khan wants to get rid of tough Frenchman Mohammed Medjadji early as he looks to go one up on big rival Kevin Mitchell. The Olympic Silver Medallist takes on Medjadji over eight-rounds at Wembley Arena on February 17 live on ITV1 and will be looking to do the job in half the time it took Mitchell in December 2005 when he stopped him six rounds..
Another name on both their records is Daniel Thorpe – who Khan stopped in two rounds and Mitchell halted in four – and Khan will be looking to better his London foe.
The two undefeated young Brits are on a collision course and a clash between them would match the epic Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank scraps of the 90s.
” I can’t wait until February 17,” said Khan. “I’ve had a look at Medjadji and he looks like a good opponent. He’s a French champion and he’s been given plenty of notice so he’ll come in all guns blazing.
” He boxed Kevin Mitchell and put up a decent showing, but I’m just going to go out there and do what I normally do and put in an outstanding performance.”
Highly-rated Frenchman Medjadji, 30, is from the same camp as Rachid Drilzane – who pushed Khan all the way last time out – and is determined to cause an upset.
Khan’s other target, Graham Earl, features on the card in an Interim WBO World Lightweight title fight against Aussie KO king Michael Katsidis and the young terror is keeping an eye on meeting the Luton star .
” I’ll definitely be watching the Earl fight and I’d love to fight him in the future,” said Khan. “If he wins the WBO title then a fight against him later this year would be more than realistic.
” I’m getting stronger every day and I want 2007 to be a big year for me. I’d love to be fighting for a world title by end of the year, and in between I want to win British and European titles at lightweight.”
Main event on the card is a cracking heavyweight showdown between Michael Sprott and Audley Harrison for the EU crown and action packed undercard includes Ross Minter, Anthony Small, Don Broadhurst, Eddie Corcoran, Tommy Saunders, Grant Skehill and Robin Deakin. Finally Vinny Mitchell, Kevin’s younger, brother makes his professional debut as does 2005 ABA Heavyweight Champion Derek Chisora.