Technical K.O.

Lightweight sensation, Amir Khan, withdrew from his ABA regional final bout in Great Yarmouth against James Martin last Friday over a ticket allocation row. The Athens silver medallist was offered only 10 tickets for the amateur showdown by the ABA and promptly refused to fight. Despite denials at a hastily convened press conference, insiders are convinced that the dispute has been seized upon by the Khan camp to facilitate a move into the professional ranks. Frank Warren’s sports network stable seems to be the most likely destination for the 18-year-old, who will become a millionaire almost overnight. It is believed that Khan will take part in a fundraising event for Bury ABC in April before making his pro debut on the Ricky Hatton-Kustya Iszyu undercard in June. A last appearance as an amateur against Cuba in a four nations tournament, putting him once more against Mario Kinderlan, is a further possibility.