The man from Bolton dominated proceedings and was awarded a unanimous decision against the dangerous Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik.
Khan was superb from start to finish and was able to dictate the pace of the fight using his superb jab and remarkable hand speed to keep his opponent on the back foot.
Kotelnik had been a favourite with some bookmakers but the man who narrowly lost to Junior Witter back in 2005 looked overwhelmed by Khan from the start.
The result has put Khan onto the world stage and at just 22 he will be looking to make an impact in the States.
The Olympic silver medallist has become the third-youngest British world champion and has come a long way since his shock defeat to the largely unknown Breidis Prescott.
Khan Outpoints Kotelnik
Having tasted defeat for the first time and been knocked out cold by Prescott, Khan has reinvented himself with the help of legendary trainer Freddie Roach.
The man who has worked alongside such greats as Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquaio has quickly turned Khan into a world-class fighter and this fight had all the hallmarks of the man based in Vegas.
Roach has worked hard with Khan, gone is the young brash fighter who left himself open to counter punches, the new Khan keeps his hands high and head moving.
The combination of new defensive skills with the fast hands and energy that Khan has always possessed make him a dangerous customer for any boxer.
Legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera’s best days may have been behind him but Khan’s demolition of him in just 5 rounds showed his true potential.
Khan is WBA World Champion
It was also in this fight that Khan began to look more comfortable, he stuck to his task and executed his plan.
This latest performance in which Khan has claimed the WBA light welterweight title may well have catapulted the 22 year old to a new level.
His dedication to becoming the best has seen Khan move to Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles where he separated himself from friends and family.
Khan vs Hatton next?
Under the guidance of Roach, Khan has progressed quickly and has had the privilege of working with the current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.
Next on his hit list however could well be fellow Brit Ricky Hatton in what could be a passing of the torch. Many believe ‘The Hitman” is on his way out and it could be Khan who takes over the title as Britain’s truly world-class performer.
