Boxing story by sport.co.uk, Fri, 29 May 2009 09:00:30 GMT



Amir Khan is taking a major gamble by jumping up a weight division and will be made to pay when he squares up against WBA Light-Welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik at the end of June. Kotelnik believes Khan is getting ahead of himself by jumping up to the light-welterweight division when the two clash at the O2 arena on June 27.Khan is brimming with confidence after he produced the most impressive performance of his career in his last fight against Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.



The former Olympic silver medalist is ready to follow in the footsteps of Ricky Hatton and secure a big money fight in Las Vegas in the next 12 months.



But Kotelnik said: "I don't believe that is Khan's weight. There is a big difference between 61 and 63 kilos. It is another level of boxing and that is my opinion.



"It gives him a chance but it is just a chance, nothing more. I am glad to be back fighting in England and I cannot wait to show people what I can do.



"I want to win this fight and be stronger than my opponent."



Kotelnik is determined to ram the words of Khan back down his throat after the Bolton boxer accused him of being the 'worst active world champion'.



The talented Ukrainian insists he will do his talking in the ring and will make Khan pay for his outburst.



Kotelnik added: "When you are outside of the ring people can say anything. But in the ring it comes down to two boxers and I will do all my talking in the ring.



"I know Amir is very popular in England, but he has never boxed against a strong opponent. I have taken on better opponents such as Gavin Rees who was world champion.



"In my last fight against Maidana everyone was saying he would knock me out but that never happened and it is just talk."