Amir needs to work on his boxing basics before he Khan become King

Amir Khan should abandon all talk of winning the world lightweight title at the age of 21 after his most alarming weakness was exposed again by a supposedly shot fighter.

Michael Gomez, Manchester’s bent-nosed brawler, put him on his backside with a left hook in a sensational start to the second round before being demolished in two minutes, 32 seconds of the fifth at Birmingham’s packed National Indoor Arena on Saturday night.

Down not out: Amir Khan is knocked down in the 2nd round by Michael Gomez

It brought back memories of supposedly light puncher Willie Limond decking Khan a year ago before he exacted terrible retribution to win the Commonwealth crown.

Khan, Bolton’s Olympic silver medallist with 18 successive wins as a pro, may finally be getting the message, admitting: ‘Sometimes I fight with my heart when I should use my head.’

He set out to skewer Gomez with his flashing left jab and put together some thrilling combinations to head and body with knockdowns in the first and fifth rounds. But he should not have been put down by a man who has always campaigned a division
down at super-featherweight.

Promoter Frank Warren, who expects to clinch a new contract with Khan and announced he will next fight on September 6, said: ‘You need people around you who pick the right moment to go for a world title.

‘He’s got a little bit more to do. He’s a fantastic fighter, a brilliant talent who wants to learn. We just need to put the
brakes on before going to win the world title — not just fight for it — and then defend it.’

Khan must steer clear of the current world champions until he protects his jaw better.

There is a view being pedalled that 36-year-old American Nate Campbell, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO versions of the world title, could be an opponent. But he is one to avoid for now — as are American David Diaz, who holds the WBC belt, and Cuban born Joel Casamayor, who has the WBO interim crown.

But there is no doubting that Khan is box office and terrific TV. Judging by the way ITV head of sport Mark Sharman was cosying up with promoter Warren, the fighter may yet re-sign with terrestrial TV.