By Richard Hookham

Earl beat Angel Hugo Ramirez for the WBU belt in October 2006

Former WBU champion Graham Earl has vowed to teach Amir Khan a boxing lesson if he is confirmed as the young British ring star's next opponent.

Earl, 29, and British champion Jonathan Thaxton have both been touted to next face Commonwealth title holder Khan.

But Earl told BBC Sport: "I'm just waiting to hear if it will happen and if it does I know I would beat Amir."

A spokesman for promoter Frank Warren said: "Nothing's been confirmed yet but Graham's one we're looking at."

Earl is a seasoned campaigner at 135lb and has lost just two fights in a 25-fight career, with 12 knock-out wins.

The Bedford battler insists he will have too much ring craft for the Olympic silver medallist, who boasts a 14-0 record and is quickly establishing himself as big box office.

"I'll bring Amir down to earth," Earl said. "He's getting a bit too big for his boots and I can't wait to get our fight sorted out."

Khan successfully defended his Commonwealth lightweight title for the first time with a fourth-round stoppage against Scott Lawton at the Nottingham Arena on 6 October.

Frank Warren has hinted his next outing will be on his 21st birthday on 8 December at the Bolton Arena.

Khan has repeatedly insisted he is ready to step up in quality and progress quickly to a future world title shot, but Earl insists that is looking too far ahead.

"I watched his fight against Willie Limond and he very nearly lost it after going down in the sixth.

"Amir did well to fight back and claim the (Commonwealth) title but I saw things I know I can exploit if I get the call to fight him.

606: DEBATE If he fight's Khan, what do people think Earl will have left after his defeat to Michael Katsidis? ScouseP4P

"Obviously, he's the young up-and-coming fighter and is getting all the exposure on terrestrial TV, whereas most of my fights have been on Sky.

"Many people have just seen the name Amir Khan and assume he's the best lightweight in the country, just because he gets that TV exposure.

"I may not be as well known to the public, but I'm older, more experienced and totally confident that I would show him up. And I think others in the business would think that too.

"From my point of view, it would just be a case of getting this fight out of the way and then moving on for another go at a big title myself.

"The pundits know that Amir has weaknesses and I'll prove that. He's talented but against a hardened fighter like myself, I think he would struggle.

Khan finished off Lawton in the fourth round

"I'm with the same promoter as Amir and hopefully Frank Warren will be contacting me to tell me I'm next up. Then we'll see who the real champion is."

Earl, who has carded notable British title victories over the likes of Bobby Vanzie and big-punching Steve Murray, has not fought since losing a tilt at the WBO interim title against Michael Katsidis in February.

He got that chance having claimed the vacant WBU lightweight belt with a decision victory over Argentina's Angel Hugo Ramirez in Bethnal Green in October 2006.

Earl said: "Things didn't go my way against Katsidis but I'm over that and have been preparing really well since.