Warren - It's a gamble

Warren: Confident Khan will learn from previous mistakes

When he went down against Gomez it was annoying - we keep telling him to keep his hands up.

Frank Warren
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Frank Warren acknowledges that he is taking a risk in putting Amir Khan up against Breidis Prescott.

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, the promoter admits that the bout, which can be seen live on Sky Box Office, is a "gamble" for the unbeaten Bolton boxer.

Like Khan Colombian lightweight Breidis Prescott is yet to taste defeat and has managed an impressive 17 knockouts in his 19 professional fights.

Having seen his young star knocked down by both Willie Limond and Michael Gomez before climbing off the canvas to win, Warren knows the pitfalls of taking on such an opponent.

Good learner

However, he has faith that Khan - the reigning Commonwealth champion - will learn from his previous errors.

"Prescott is undefeated after 19 fights, with 17 knockouts," he told The Guardian. "Amir is good learner but this fight is a gamble.

"When he went down against Gomez it was annoying - we keep telling him to keep his hands up.

"And against Limond he ran onto his punch and that momentum gives it more power. It was careless but he was on top of the guy by the end of the round. That's exciting."

Khan came into the professional game having shot to fame at the 2004 Olympics in Athens when he won a silver medal as a teenager.

The recent Beijing Games saw the emergence of some new names in the ring, not least gold medal winner James DeGale.

Future stars

Warren is interested in getting the Londoner into the professional ranks and has ear-marked Billy Joe Saunders as a name for the future.

"He talks well and he's a character. He's obviously a counter-puncher but you can see he's got a boxing brain. He'll make a good pro," Warren added.

"Frankie Gavin is also a good fighter and he rang me up when he was out there, asking my advice about the weight. I said, 'You've got to go and see the team doctor and (coach) Terry Edwards because you've got a problem.' It's pretty crazy that he couldn't make the weight.

"I don't know what the score is with Frankie now. I've got something in mind and if it's suitable we'll do a deal.

"If it's not then someone else will. I also like Billy Joe Saunders. I think he'll make an excellent pro. He was the only fighter I spoke to before the Games and that was because he approached me."