Amir Khan would welcome a domestic showdown with Ricky Hatton - but doubts it will ever happen.
Khan meets Denmark's Martin Kristjansen at the Bolton Arena on April 5 in an eliminator for the WBO lightweight belt.
Promoter Frank Warren has stated the 21-year-old will challenge for a version of the world title before the end of the year.
After campaigning at lightweight for a further 12 months, Khan intends to step up a division and has already talked about facing Hatton.
But the Olympic silver medallist, unbeaten in 16 fights, believes Hatton will have hung up his gloves by the time he is ready for the contest.
"I respect Ricky Hatton for what he's done in boxing - and he inspires me," said Khan.
"He's good and is a respected fighter. But I don't think he'll be around in 18 months' time. He'll be retired by then, I'm sure of it."
Gavin Rees, who defends his WBA light-welterweight title against Andreas Kotelnik on March 22, remains a possible future opponent.
But while Khan is confident he will soon be ready to face the Welshman, he has unfinished business at 135lbs.
"I think I'm ready to face Gavin Rees in the next fight or two. He suits my style more," he said.
"But I want to stay at lightweight for another year or so and then move up.
"I want to win everything in the lightweight division - the European belt and then the world titles."
Khan was scheduled to meet Kristjansen on February 2 but the 30-year-old pulled out because of flu and was replaced by Gairy St Clair, whom Khan comprehensively outpointed.
Kristjansen has won 19 of his 23 fights, a record that includes one defeat and three draws, but he is not a strong puncher and has claimed just five victims inside the distance.
"Kristjansen is tough. I saw him box for the European title against Stefano Zoff in 2005 and he gave him a tough fight," Khan added.
"In fact I think Kristjansen won that fight. He has a different style to St Clair and he's tough.
"He's only been beaten once. He's ranked number two by the WBO - and if I beat him, well then, who knows?"
Khan meets Denmark's Martin Kristjansen at the Bolton Arena on April 5 in an eliminator for the WBO lightweight belt.
Promoter Frank Warren has stated the 21-year-old will challenge for a version of the world title before the end of the year.
After campaigning at lightweight for a further 12 months, Khan intends to step up a division and has already talked about facing Hatton.
But the Olympic silver medallist, unbeaten in 16 fights, believes Hatton will have hung up his gloves by the time he is ready for the contest.
"I respect Ricky Hatton for what he's done in boxing - and he inspires me," said Khan.
"He's good and is a respected fighter. But I don't think he'll be around in 18 months' time. He'll be retired by then, I'm sure of it."
Gavin Rees, who defends his WBA light-welterweight title against Andreas Kotelnik on March 22, remains a possible future opponent.
But while Khan is confident he will soon be ready to face the Welshman, he has unfinished business at 135lbs.
"I think I'm ready to face Gavin Rees in the next fight or two. He suits my style more," he said.
"But I want to stay at lightweight for another year or so and then move up.
"I want to win everything in the lightweight division - the European belt and then the world titles."
Khan was scheduled to meet Kristjansen on February 2 but the 30-year-old pulled out because of flu and was replaced by Gairy St Clair, whom Khan comprehensively outpointed.
Kristjansen has won 19 of his 23 fights, a record that includes one defeat and three draws, but he is not a strong puncher and has claimed just five victims inside the distance.
"Kristjansen is tough. I saw him box for the European title against Stefano Zoff in 2005 and he gave him a tough fight," Khan added.
"In fact I think Kristjansen won that fight. He has a different style to St Clair and he's tough.
"He's only been beaten once. He's ranked number two by the WBO - and if I beat him, well then, who knows?"
RAFA
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