Amir Khan Wins WBA Junior Welterweight Title

Amir Khan claimed the WBA light welterweight title with a unanimous points victory over Ukraine's Andreas Kotelnik in Manchester, England.

After one of the finest world title contests ever seen in Britain, Khan was awarded the fight 118-111, 120-108, 118-111 by the three judges. Khan, 22, throw the first punches in the opening round. However, Kotelnik gathered himself and managed to counter Amir's busy hands in the first half of the fight. Both men showed tremendous punch resistance and Khan had plenty of success with his jab early in the fight. But Khan slowly wore Kotelnik down with his three, four and five punch combinations. Kotelnik wasn't troubled by Khan's power. He was more puzzled by Amir's speed. Khan was taking Kotelnik's punches really well throughout the fight. Not only he absorbed them, he also came back with punch combinations. In the middle of the fight, Freddie Roach wanted Amir to go to the body of Andreas Kotelnik. Khan's stamina was in display in his first world title fight. His speed was noticeable throughout the fight. His footwork and lateral movement is noticeable and impressive. His work rate and concentration were also consistent throughout the fight. Kotelnik chased Khan in the last round. Khan managed to keep the distance. Both men were swinging away when the bell sounded. Kotelnik was looking for the one punch to turn the fight around but never really landed it. Khan acknowledged Freddie's work in transforming the way he fights. He also thanked Manny Pacquiao for the taking him to the next level. He pointed out that the sparring he got from America really helped him. "I'm pleased with Amir. He fought a good fight. I told everybody that at 135 he weakens himself. At 140 he is stronger. He is still young. Amir is a good kid. I love bringing the best in people". said Roach, who now just produced his 25th world champion