Amir Khan marked his return to the ring after a two-year hiatus with a devastating 39-second knockout of Phil Lo Greco. The former light-welterweight world champion floored the Canadian early, and referee Victor Loughlin waved off the contest as the Liverpool crowd erupted.
Khan, fighting in the UK for the first time in five years, immediately called out Kell Brook, who was at ringside. 'I'm back,' Khan roared. 'I want to become world champion again. I will fight Kell Brook and I will beat him.'
The 31-year-old's performance was all the more impressive given his long lay-off and recent hand surgery. Trainer Joe Goossen had advised patience, but Khan seized an opening with a left hook and finished emphatically.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents both Khan and Brook, sees a potential pay-per-view blockbuster by the end of the year. Khan is expected to have another warm-up fight in August or September before any showdown with Brook.
While Lo Greco was limited, Khan's display silenced doubts about ring rust and moved him closer to a mega-fight at welterweight. He improved his record to 32-4 and recorded his first stoppage since 2012.
