Big-punching Prescott delivers Khan’s wake-up call

AMIR KHAN believes the first defeat of his career has given him a “kick up the backside” after being spectacularly knocked out in less than a minute by Colombian Breidis Prescott.

A stunning 54-second knockout defeat in Manchester on Saturday night left his world title dreams in tatters with promoter Frank Warren admitting they would have to go “back to the drawing board”.

However, Khan insisted he still has complete confidence in new trainer Jorge Rubio despite the Cuban suggesting Prescott as an opponent before watching his young charge get blown away by the big-punching South American.

“Sometimes I let my heart rule my mind and it showed,” said Khan afterwards. “I’ve been hit harder in my career but it was just at the wrong time, too early in the fight before I could get into it.

“I’m not going to let it get to me. Every fighter wins and loses in their career and I’m just going to come back stronger. Me and Jorge will work on my mistakes.”

Khan thinks Rubio – who replaced Oliver Harrison after the Salford trainer was sacked earlier this year – is still the right man to guide his career in the ring.

Khan added: “I’d definitely like to fight him again in the future. I know what mistakes I made and it’s too late now. But I’ve never said no to anyone, I’ll fight anyone.

“It’s given me that kick up the backside in a way.

“I’ve got no excuses. The better man won. He caught me cold in the first round and I didn’t recover from it.”

While Warren revealed it was former Cuban Olympic coach Rubio who suggested Prescott, the Sports Network chief took responsibility for the choice of opponent.

Warren, who expects Khan to return to the ring when Nicky Cook makes the first defence of his WBO super-featherweight title on December 6, said: “We’ll go back to the drawing board and think about the future.

Prescott, who arrived from Barranquilla with an unbeaten record of 17 knockouts in 19 wins – albeit against opponents of a questionable standard – floored Khan after less than half a minute with a powerful combination culminating in a long left hook.

The Commonwealth lightweight champion staggered to his feet mid-way through the count but looked wobbly and could have been stopped by referee Terry O’Connor.

Sensing his opportunity, Prescott pounced immediately and steamed in before another left sent Khan sprawling backwards to the canvas again.

This time the dazed 21-year-old was unable to beat the count as rank outsider Prescott bounded around the ring in ecstasy.