Amir Khan told Sky Sports News he is relishing the prospect of beating Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden.
Bolton boxer targets winning debut in New York
Amir Khan has told
Sky Sports News he is relishing the prospect of beating Paulie Malignaggi in his own backyard when the pair clash at Madison Square Garden on May 15.
The British boxer is preparing to defend his WBA light-welterweight title across the pond in what will be his professional debut in America.
New Yorker Malignaggi, who lost to Ricky Hatton in 11 rounds back in 2008, is Khan's second challenger for the title after compatriot Dimitry Salita lasted just 76 seconds back in December.
Speaking ahead of his American debut, Khan revealed how the fight marks the realisation of a boyhood dream.
Exciting
"To come to the Mecca of boxing which is Madison Square Garden is every fighter's dream," he told
Sky Sports News.
"You've had the likes of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson fighting over here, Oscar (De La Hoya) and everyone.
"To come here and fight will mean in the history books it will say 'Amir Khan fought at Madison Square Garden'.
"It's my American debut, it's going to be very exciting to fight over here and it's been my dream all my life to fight in New York as a professional.
"It would be a great feeling to beat him in his home town."
Malignaggi is hoping his experience of fighting at a higher level will stand him in good stead on the evening of the fight.
"I've got more experience at a world class level that Khan hasn't had, but then again experience can be overrated, if you can fight you can fight," he said.
"I also bring a different versatility to anyone he has ever fought before so he's going to see something different."
