Amir Khan moved up a weight class, challenged a far more experienced reigning champion and even defied his legion of critics to win the WBA light welterweight title last night at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England.

Khan got off to a fast start once the bell rang and the lanky Bolton youth used his height advantage to keep Kotelnik at bay.

It was clear from the start that Kotelnik had issues with the handspeed and fast footwork of Khan but the WBA titlist's biggest problem was that he wasn't near busy enough.

Largely walking slowly forward or remaining stationary with hands held high, Kotelnik picked off most of Khan's shots and combinations with his gloves but his own punch output was nowhere near what Khan was putting up.

When Kotelnik did throw, he didn't connect much as Khan danced away from danger or slipped the efforts.

Kotelnik did manage the odd counter shot here and there but he's a light puncher and Khan's chin held up.

Khan controlled the contest behind the jab and was beginning the batter the champion starting in the sixth round

But the Ukrainian boxer did come alive in the ninth when Khan was feeling the effects of his offensive efforts but the rally was short-lived as the challenger regained control by the tenth.

Kotelnik appeared to go for the knockout during the final frames but could never hurt Khan, who cruised to a wide 120-108 and 118-111 (twice) unanimous decision to become the new WBA light welterweight champion.

Khan improves to 21-1 (15) while Kotelnik loses for the third time in his career to drop to 31-3-1 (13).

On the big undercard, former WBO Cruiserweight champ Enzo Macarrinelli, 29-4 (22), continued his losing streak as he was stopped in the third by Denis Lebedev, 18-0 (13), for the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt.

Kell Brook, 20-0 (13), retained his British welter belt by stopping Michael Lomax, 15-2-1 (2), in the third.

Light middle Anthony Small, 22-1 (16), now holds the British and Commonwealth crowns after finishing off Matthew Hall, 22-2 (15), in the eighth.

Super feather Kevin Mitchell and super middle Paul Smith both won their contests in the eighth.

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Boxing News Tags: Amir Khan, Andriy Kotelnik, Andriy Kotelnik vs Amir Khan, Anthony Small, Boxing Results, Denis Lebedev, Enzo Macarrinelli, Kell Brook, Kevin Mitchell, Matthew Hall, Michael Lomax, Paul Smith