Amir has Khan-do attitude

Amir Khan declared he is ready to win a world title just seven months after suffering the shock of a first round knock-out defeat.

The 2004 Olympic silver medallist was floored by Breidis Prescott at the MEN Arena in Manchester on September 7 last year. But Khan now believes that whole experience was a "blessing in disguise" because it made him re-evaluate everything about his boxing.

"So much has changed from that defeat. I changed from a boy into a man," he said.

Khan moved to Los Angeles to link up with Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach and insists his days as a tear-up merchant are over.

Khan will take a step up in weight divisions to face Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA light-welterweight world title at London's O2 Arena.

Kotelnik, who was unable to make Wednesday's launch press conference after failing to secure a visa in time, is looking forward to showing his class "against this child."

But Khan is ready to surprise the Ukrainian.

Khan added: "There were times when I would just go in the ring and fight but the Prescott defeat taught me in the right way. If I had gone into that fight and boxed with my mind it would have been a different night.

"Things happen for a reason. I have changed so much since that defeat. I am now in LA and a world title shot has come along.

"I fought Oisin Fagan and then beat Marco Antonio Barrera. People said Barrera got cut but I always knew I had the skills to beat him."