CHRIS LAKEY Amir Khan has promised British lightweight champion Jon Thaxton they will meet in a domestic showdown - but his offer has met with a frosty response from the Norwich hitman.

CHRIS LAKEY

Amir Khan has promised British lightweight champion Jon Thaxton they will meet in a domestic showdown - but his offer has met with a frosty response from the Norwich hitman.

Thaxton declared Khan has “no chin” after watching the Olympic silver medallist tumble to the canvas in his clash with Willie Limond at the O2 Arena 11 days ago.

Khan recovered to register an emphatic victory and claim Limond's Commonwealth lightweight title, which may be on the line at the Nottingham Arena on October 6 against an as-yet unnamed opponent.

Longer term the 20-year-old from Bolton has set his sights on Thaxton, who also complained he has been “disrespected” by his rival.

“I can't believe Thaxton said that because I've met him a few times and he's a really nice guy,” said Khan. “His time will come because I'll definitely fight him. He's experienced and strong.”

But the 32-year-old Thaxton believes the young pretender is waiting until it is too late for a much-anticipated showdown to take place.

“When will the time be right? Will it be when it's the right time for him or the right time for me?” said Thaxton. “Is he going to wait until I am old and grey?

“If he wants to fight me on October 6, then let it happen. If he gives me two weeks notice, then no - I want to be properly prepared.”

With Khan holding the Commonwealth title a showdown with British lightweight champion Thaxton would be a big crowd-puller, but the Bolton fighter has to be 21 before he can fight for a Lonsdale belt - and Thaxton says there is no point in a non-title fight.

“You have to have a title on the line, simple as that,” he said. “Amir Khan is a phenomenal talent, an Olympic silver medallist, Commonwealth champion - maybe the boxing authorities can make an exception to allow the fight to happen.

“I want titles on the line. Otherwise it takes the shine off the fight. If I got beat by him, so be it, I'd put my hand sup and say I got beaten by the better man.

“But what is Frank Warren going to gain by putting him in the ring with me? Absolutely nothing.”

Thaxton said while he respected Khan as a fighter he stood by his comments that the youngster was “chinny” after his knockdown by Limond.

“Is he an accident waiting to happen?” said Thaxton. “Is he another Audley Harrison? Is he another Scrap Iron Ryan? Ryan was 22 win, 20 KOs when they put him up against a little kid from Norwich and I knocked him out in the first round.

“In my opinion Amir Khan is not an accident waiting to happen - he's a fantastic prospect, but Frank Warren should have kept him as a prospect. Winning the Commonwealth title is a mistake this early because he will have to run before he can walk. If he has to defend the title is he going to defend against me. I'm on the contenders' list but I bet I won't get the call.”