Amir Khan vows to step up against Dmitriy Salita

Oct 23 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

AMIR KHAN has vowed to move up a gear when he makes the transition from challenger to champion against Dmitriy Salita on December 5.

The Bolton fighter will defend his WBA light-welterweight belt for the first time against undefeated Ukrainian Salita at Newcastle’s Metro Arena after winning the belt in July.

Salita became the mandatory challenger for Khan’s belt after beating Raul Munoz in May and the Englishman made an early return to training in a bid to ensure he is in the best possible shape for the fight.

“He’s a great fighter, he’s a great boxer,” Khan said. “I don’t know much about his amateur background but to be a number one mandatory, he must be good, and his record says it all.

“I know Dmitriy is going to come into this fight wanting to win this world title so it’s going to be tough. I’m going to go in there and give it 110%.

“I want to keep hold of this belt. I worked so hard to achieve it and I’m going to work even harder to keep hold of it.”

Salita, was born in Odessa but moved to New York aged nine and has a professional record of 30 wins and one draw.