Khan's the quickest in history, claims Warren

Khan will take a significant step up in class when he challenges Willie Limond for the Commonwealth lightweight title at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

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While Limond is no knockout specialist, his 29-fight record features just a single defeat - to fellow Scot Alex Arthur - and demands respect.

Olympic silver medallist Khan has been accused of featuring in too many mis-matches since leaving the amateur ranks but he is ready to demonstrate he is the genuine article against Limond.

"My career is going well at the moment. I'm in my 13th fight and I'm already going for a Commonwealth title," said the 20-year-old.

"I've been brought through the right way, not the easy way. Most fighters try for this title when they have 20-odd fights under their belts.

"I've taken it early because I'm confident I can win titles at a young age. I'm hungry, I train hard and my career is in front of me.

"Challenging for the Commonwealth title at this stage of my life has really given me a massive push in training.

"Fighting Willie is going to be tough - he's been training hard, like myself, and this is the next logical step up for me as a professional.

"I've had a few fights to bring me up to this level and now's my time to prove that I'm a great fighter and can be a world champion."

Khan, who at 17 became the youngest boxer to win an Olympic medal since Floyd Patterson in 1952, has stopped nine of his 12 opponents to date - resulting in some disapproval at the ease of his progress.

But Warren has hit back by insisting Khan's Commonwealth title bid has come exceptionally early in his career.

"If anyone has got any criticism of the way Amir's career has been paced then they're idiots who don't know anything about boxing," he said.

"Amir has had 12 fights for God's sake. To criticise his career so far is just ridiculous. I read the criticism and wonder where these people come from.

"He's 20-years-old and in my time in boxing I can't think of anyone outside the flyweight division who has fought for a Commonwealth title after 12 fights at Amir's age.

He added: "Amir is ahead of everyone else at this stage of his career.

"Nigel Benn had 16 fights before he won a title and Sugar Ray Robinson took six years to challenge for and win a world title.

"Amir says he wants to do it by the time he's 21. He may well fight for a world title in the next 18 months."

Khan may be the challenger but he has dominated the build-up and is widely tipped to stretch his unbeaten record to 13 fights at the O2 Arena, which was formerly the Millennium Dome.

However, Limond is happy to allow his rival to take centre stage and explains how his stoppage defeat to Arthur in 2003 has advanced his own career.

"Amir taking the limelight just doesn't bother me. People can say what they want, I'll just keep training hard," he said.

"When I'm as fit and ready as I am now, I fancy my chances against anyone. I'm 100% better now than when I lost to Alex Arthur.

"Fighting Alex was a massive learning curve. I was inexperienced at the time. It was as step up and that level was something I hadn't encountered before.

"Now that I have encountered it, I've moved on and have won a couple of belts. I'm ready for this fight."

Nicky Cook's WBO featherweight title fight against American Steven Luevano tops the bill.

Michael Sprott also challenges Matt Skelton for the Commonwealth heavyweight title while Kevin Mitchell defends his IBF intercontinental super-featherweight belt against Alexander Hrulev.