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Boxing superkid Amir Khan faces the first foreign test in his professional career against the tough Belarussian Vitali Martynov on Saturday 28 January as he starts his 2006 campaign.
The Olympic Silver Medallist, unbeaten in four starts with three knockouts, also steps up to his first six-round contest against Martynov at the Nottingham Arena to be televised live on ITV1.
Khan, 19, has progressed rapidly since turning pro last July and did a number on the experienced Sheffield campaigner Daniel Thorpe in December with a second round stoppage.
Martynov, only two years older than Khan, has stopped seven of his 11 opponents early with only one loss and will be looking to come to Britain to pull off a massive upset like his countryman Yuri Romanov who bashed Brits Steve Murray and Bobby Vanzie.
But Khan is not taking Martynov lightly.
“He’s a strong tough kid from Eastern Europe who will be coming to win but I have encountered plenty of these lads during my time in the amateurs,” said Khan.
“It’s my first six-round contest so I’m not going to go out there to blast him out straight away, I want to have a good look at him, size him up, make my openings and then finish him off,”
“Although I’ve experienced Belarussian boxers in the amateurs, the professional ranks are totally different and I’m expecting a tougher and harder test from Martynov than any fights I had in a vest and headguard,”
“I remember seeing what Yuri Romanov did to Steve Murray and Bobby Vanzie so I’m not underestimating what Martynov will be able to do,”
He added, “One things for sure thought, I will not let him upset my first fight of 2006, I’ve got big plans for the year ahead and I am to stay on track.”
Chorley’s slick-stylist Michael Jennings headlines the show with the second defence of his British Welterweight title against Young Muttley.
Chief support sees unbeaten featherweight ace Derry Matthews from Liverpool challenging for the vacant English title
A top quality card also sees Former British Welterweight Champion David Barnes, Celtic Welterweight Champion Tony Docherty, Matthew Hall, Martin Concepcion, Kell Brook, Rendall Munroe, Adnan Amar, Rod Anderton, Scott Haywood and Jonjo Finnegan.
Action starts at 9pm on ITV4 before switching to ITV1 at 10.45pm for live coverage of Amir Khan.
