Khan: I've matured into a world champ

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Khan, 22, bids to win his first world title when he steps up to light-welterweight to face Ukrainian WBA champion Andreas Kotelnik at the MEN Arena on Saturday.

Asked if he thought last September he would be fighting for a world title less than a year later, Khan told Press Association Sport: "I did, yes. I knew that within a year I'd still become a world champion."

Less than a year ago a world title seemed a long way away after Colombian Prescott produced a stunning upset by knocking Khan out in less than a minute.

Khan has since regrouped, switched trainers and relocated to the United States to rebuild his career, culminating in tomorrow's world title shot, but the Bolton youngster, who beat Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera earlier this year, insists he never doubted he would still achieve his dreams despite the Prescott loss.

He added: "I know people didn't think I'd become a world champion - even people probably in my own camp, my own team, didn't think I'd become a world champion this quickly. I made one mistake but I've proved everyone wrong by beating Barrera and now fighting for a world title.

"And hopefully when I wake up on Sunday morning I'll be a world champion."

Khan even believes the defeat by Prescott accelerated his progression to world title level.

He added: "The Prescott fight made me change from a boy to a man, it took me out of my comfort zone because when you lose a fight you look at the mistakes and everything.

"That is what happened, I've changed from a boy to a man. I've changed everything, I've moved to train in LA, I'm totally focused now. I'm a different fighter, a different person and the way I fight now is totally different."