Amir Khan is just one fight away from his world title dream.
He cleared the most important hurdle of his boxing career in Bolton last night to become the WBO's leading lightweight contender.
Kahn did not put a foot wrong and dropped and stopped Denmark's Martin Krisjansen in round seven.
The brave Dane entered the ring as the WBO's leading contender but he was knocked down three times before the referee called the slaughter off.
Kahn will probably have one more fight in the summer before a world title showdown at the Reebok Stadium in September.
"I'm ready now for a world title and I'm just waiting for my shot," said Khan. "I knew Krisjansen would not just fall over like some people said - I knew he was proud. He took some heavy shots in the opening rounds and just kept coming back at me. I was patient and I mixed up my punches until I saw the opening.
"I have been watching the top lightweights for years and now I'm ready for the waiting game to finish."
Khan was simply too fast and too big for the normally durable Krisjansen.
There were moments in the first and second round when it looked like Khan would have another early night in front of his hometown fans.
"I knew that Amir was fast but I had no idea that he was that fast," admitted the honest Dane.
"I kept trying to counter but he moved too quick and he is a very hard puncher.
"I have to be honest and say that he is a lot better than I thought he was - and I know that he will win a world title."
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JONATHAN PEARCE
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE