Amir Khan wins first title, taking Andreas Kotelnik’s WBA light-welterweight belt

Khan wins first title fight, outpointing Kotelnik

MANCHESTER, England — Highly touted Amir Khan finally lived up to lofty expectations, earning a unanimous decision over Andreas Kotelnik on Saturday night to capture the WBA junior welterweight title.

The 22-year-old Khan’s blistering victory came five years after a career-launching Olympic silver medal, and 10 months after he was knocked out by Breidis Prescott in 54 seconds.

Two judges scored the fight 118-111, while the third had it 120-108.

“It’s the best feeling ever,” Khan said. “I picked the right shots and was composed. I stuck to the game plan and stayed concentrating.”

Khan (21-1) was stepping up a division to face Kotelnik, but didn’t appear to lose any speed. His quick combinations and impressive footwork helped carry him to a triumph in front of Naseem Hamed, one of only two other Brits to become a champion at a younger age.

“He’s won of the best belts out there,” said Hamed, who won the featherweight title at age 21 in 1995. “He showed courage, heart. I’m very, very impressed.”

After his surprising loss to Prescott, Khan began working with well-respected trainer Freddie Roach, who has helped guide Manny Pacquiao to the top of the pound-for-pound lists.

A fifth-round stoppage victory in March in the same M.E.N. Arena ring over highly respected Marco Antonio Barrera helped restore Khan’s confidence, if not his credibility, and his newfound polish showed while handing Kotelnik (31-3-1) his first loss since 2005.

“I want to thank Freddie Roach for making this happen,” Khan said. “He’s taken me to a different level and now I’m a world champion.”

The 31-year-old Kotelnik struggled to cope with Khan’s relentless punching and couldn’t land anything to trouble his younger opponent, who became one of the sport’s most promising prospects after an impressive performance during the Athens Olympics.

Kotelnik, who won the title from Gavin Rees and successfully defended it twice, had fought close battles against the likes of Souleymane M’baye and Junior Witter. But he couldn’t deal with Khan’s relentless attacks.

“I can’t think a British fighter has won a world title in 22 fights,” promoter Frank Warren said. “And don’t forget, last September he was written off.”