 Khan in training at London's Peacock Gym in Canning Town |
Britain's Amir Khan will contest his first professional title on Saturday in a last-minute change to his bout with Frenchman Rachid Drilzane in London. Khan, who turns 20 on Friday, had originally been scheduled to face Drilzane in an eight-rounder.
But he will jump up to 10 rounds for the vacant IBF intercontinental light welterweight belt at the ExCel Arena.
"I'll be moving up from eight rounds to 10 for the first time and I see this as a real opportunity," he said.
 | It is great to get this opportunity one day after my 20th birthday |
"My other fights so far have just been for the experience for now with a title on the line I will be much more hungry. "It is great to get this opportunity one day after my 20th birthday. I have been training hard and I am undoubtedly ready for it."
The change to Khan's bout is the latest twist in the troubled show at ExCel Arena, where two fighters have already pulled out.
Scott Harrison's late withdrawal from a WBO featherweight title defence has left opponent Nicky Cook looking for a last-minute replacement.
Last week Danny Williams stepped in at short notice to replace injured Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton in a heavyweight clash with Audley Harrison.
Khan will be making his 10th appearance as a professional against 28-year-old Drilzane, who has won 10 of his 13 fights.
The Bolton-based fighter stopped Londoner Ryan Barrett in just 111 seconds of his last fight in September.
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