AMIR KHAN believes he can fight for a world title by the end of the year.
The 31-year-old boxer will take on Colombianย Samuel Vargas in Birmingham on September 8 in a WBA welterweight eliminator with the winner due to face the victor of Manny Pacquiao andย Lucas Matthysse.
Khan, a former unified world champion, is also eyeing a bout with Sheffieldโs Kell Brook as he prepares for just his third fight in two years.
But Khan insists he is targeting a world title bout to prove he is back to his best.
โWeโre getting closer to a world title fight, which is where I want to get to. It could be by the end of the year, or early next year โ I want to be in there quick,โ he told Press Association Sport.
โWaiting around is not something I like doing. I was third youngest world champion in Britain, thatโs because I donโt like waiting around.
โBrook is a fight I want, letโs see how it goes. Iโm ready for everyone, Iโm not ducking anyone. I want to fight all the biggest names. Thatโs where I belong.โ
Khan returned to the ring after a two-year absence to beat Phil Lo Greco in 39 seconds in April.
He admits facingย Pacquiao, who lost the WBO world welterweight title to former schoolteacher Jeff Horn last year, is a massive carrot but he must perform against Vargas first.
Khan said: โI canโt afford to make any mistakes. Even with Lo Greco, yes I beat him and heโs a good fighter but I caught him early. It could happen to any of us.
โI have to win but win in good style. I finished so quickly against Lo Greco, I finished so fast I didnโt have the chance to get the ring rust out.
โThis fight for me will lead me on to bigger fights and bigger names. I want to be back at world title level.โ
โNo fight is easy, every fight is difficult. Iโm looking at the bigger picture and there are some big fights out there for me.โ
Vargas, a 29-year-old Colombian welterweight based in Toronto, has a record of 29 wins โ 14 by KO โ three losses and two draws.
He said: โThis is my time, Iโve been up here before, I have the experience, I have the time, I feel ready and Iโm going to pull off an upset. Thatโs my job.
โItโs going to be the biggest break of my career. I know what itโs like to be on the B side of boxing. Itโs rubbish. Iโm excited for this fight.โ