Khan vows to return stronger after pay-per-view debut lasts less than a minute

Published on Sunday 7 September 2008 23:47

AMIR Khan believes the first defeat of his career has given him a "kick up the backside" after being spectacularly knocked out in less than a minute by Colombian Breidis Prescott on Saturday night, writes Phil Barnett.

A stunning 54-second knockout defeat in Manchester left his world title dreams in tatters, with promoter Frank Warren admitting they would have to go "back to the drawing board". However, Khan insisted he still has complete confidence in new trainer Jorge Rubio despite the Cuban suggesting Prescott as an opponent before watching his young charge get blown away by the big-punching South American.

"Sometimes I let my heart rule my mind and it showed," said Khan afterwards. "I've been hit harder in my career but it was just at the wrong time, too early in the fight before I could get into it. I'm not going to let it get to me. Every fighter wins and loses in their career and I'm just going to come back stronger. Me and Jorge will work on my mistakes."

Khan thinks Rubio – who replaced Oliver Harrison after the Salford trainer was sacked earlier this year – is still the right man to guide his career in the ring. He said: "Yes, definitely. Training went really well but I happened to get caught with a shot by a power puncher. I'd definitely like to fight him again in the future. It's given me that kick up the backside in a way."

Making his debut as a pay-per-view fighter, 2004 Olympic lightweight silver-medallist Khan needed to impress at the MEN Arena, but Prescott overwhelmed him in the first seconds of the fight,

flooring Khan after less than half a minute with a powerful combination culminating in a long left hook. The Commonwealth lightweight champion staggered to his feet midway through the count but looked wobbly and could have been stopped by the referee.

Sensing his opportunity, Prescott pounced immediately and steamed in before another left sent Khan sprawling backwards to the canvas again.

This time the dazed 21-year-old was unable to beat the count.