USA excites Khan

Khan: Doing the right thing

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Amir Khan is hoping that winning over an American audience will be the next step towards being a leading player on the world boxing stage.

The Bolton light-welterweight will make his debut in the United States on May 15 when he defends his WBA title against Paulie Malignaggi at New York's Madison Square Garden.

"New York is very exciting," said Khan. "I want to fight all over the world. I know with my style of boxing I can do well. They have heard of me in America and now they will be able to see me.

"I think I'm doing the right thing. Fighting in America, more people will be taking notice. I can get a fanbase around the world."

Khan, who won the title last July, had been expected to face Juan Manuel Marquez, but will now take on Malignaggi - the original first choice - after that fight fell through.

"Malignaggi was the first choice, but he pulled out and then they went for Marquez," Khan explained. "I think I could have been the first man to knock Marquez out. That would definitely have made a statement because he went the distance with Floyd Mayweather.

"But now it's Malignaggi again and I think I can take him out. He has got an awkward style, but I think I have the speed to deal with it, to break him down and get to him in the later rounds."

New beginning

He and Malignaggi are both managed by Golden Boy Promotions, who Khan joined after splitting from Frank Warren.

He added: "I've got nothing bad to say about Frank Warren, the way he got me back from my defeat (to Breidis Prescott) and got me a world title shot.

"My contract finished a long time ago but I stuck with him because he did look after me. Now I'm with Golden Boy it's like beginning all over because I want to prove myself all over again and prove myself to Golden Boy and in America.

"I want to be the best fighter Golden Boy have got. I want to be the main attraction in America, I want to be the main man. These are exciting times."

Malignaggi, 29, lost to Ricky Hatton in 2008 and also recently avenged a defeat by Juan Diaz last year to re-establish himself as a world title contender.

However, he will need something special to take Khan's title - the latter beating Dmitriy Salita in just 76 seconds in a mandatory title defence in Newcastle last December.