Hatton backing for Khan

Hatton for becoming the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world has backed up the boxer Amir Khan to go one better than he himself.

Against unbeaten Northern Irishman Paul McCloskey,Amir Khan will defend his WBA light-welterweight title on 16 April in Manchester on Tuesday.

Hatton said,"If he continues ticking all the boxes and progressing and improving as he is, I don't think it will be long before he's on top of that pound-for-pound list. I really do strongly believe that."

The 'Hitman' added: "When you see the story of where Amir's come from in his career it is a massive success story. He was written off in many ways and how he has rammed it down his critics' throats by turning his career around is a credit to him.

"British boxing fans should be very proud of him. He moved up a weight division immediately after that defeat (to Breidis Prescott in 2008) and then won a world title at the weight above. He went over to the United States to join up with the world's best regarded coach in Freddie Roach to make sure he becomes the best Amir Khan he can be.

"He's made from the same cloth as me. I'd like to think my fan base was not just because of the boxing ability I had but because I was a bit no-nonsense and die-hard, I took on all comers, and since Amir's defeat, that's exactly what he's done.

"I think fans need to be there (supporting), to be there at the start of something that is going to go through the roof, because he's going to be the next boxing superstar, at the highest level in the pound-for-pound rankings and I feel very proud I'm playing a little part in his homecoming fight."