Last Updated: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:29
Amir Khan believes he is well placed to dethrone Ricky Hatton as Britain's next light-welterweight king.
Khan is gearing up for his first shot at a world title against WBA champion Andreas Kotelnik at Manchester's MEN Arena on the new date of July 18 in his first fight at 140lb instead of his usual lightweight limit.
Manchester hero Hatton has refused to commit to boxing since his humiliation by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas and 22-year-old Khan believes he is ready to take over.
He said: "I was big for a lightweight and I had to be so disciplined to get off those final few pounds.
"At 140 I just feel so strong. I know I am punching hard because my trainer Freddie Roach has put extra padding in his body armour to stop me hurting him - and that's with me using 20oz gloves which are like pillows."