Khan defends title for second time

Amir Khan has defended his Commonwealth lightweight title in 72 seconds after knocking out compatriot Graham Earl.

The boxer, who is celebrating his 21st birthday, floored his challenger with a left hook before unleashing a barrage of blows to clinch victory.

With just one minute 14 seconds on the clock, the referee stepped in to end the fight.

Khan said: "I wasn't surprised, I trained very hard. He was number one in Britain and I wanted to beat him.

"I knew he was under pressure after the first knockdown and I just went for it. I was fighting the best fighter of my career. I knew I had it in the tank."

But Earl insisted referee Howard Foster stopped the bout too early, saying: "(Khan's) sharp and strong, but they shouldn't have stopped the fight there - I knew what was going on."

He continued: "My head's clear - I've been in fights where my head's gone. It's boxing, you've got to take shots, it happens. You can't just jump in."

Earl also denied any suggestion that the defeat could mark the end of his professional career.

"I'll be back stronger. That's my division," he added.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.