Amir Khan stuns Phil Lo Greco with blistering first-round knockout

Amir Khan made a rankling come back to the ring by beating Phil Lo Greco by knockout inside 39 seconds at Liverpool's Echo Arena. The 31-year-old had not battled for a long time, since being beaten by Saul "Canelo" Álvarez in Las Vegas in May 2016, and he compensated for lost time by thumping the Canadian Lo Greco down twice in the beginning times. Khan, in his first session on British soil since a focuses triumph over Julio Diaz five years prior, sent Lo Greco to the canvas with a quick one-two blend inside the opening 30 seconds. The super-welterweight challenge was over minutes after the fact as the Briton's overwhelming hand speed stuck his adversary up against the ropes to guarantee it was over minutes after it had begun. It implied Khan conveyed an unequivocal articulation to Kell Brook, who was viewing on from ringside, before a conceivable all-British fight between the two Matchroom stablema s was the first of a three-battle bargain Khan had marked with Eddie Hearn and his promoter had yielded his contender couldn't bear the cost of a fifth annihilation on his record. That never looked likely and there was no confirmation of any ring rust from Khan either after he changed to the coach Joe Goossen in the development to this session. Lo Greco seemed paralyzed by Khan's sheer speed from the start and, when he dropped him with a correct hand, it resembled an inescapable result. There was an eight rely on that event and minutes after the two squared off once more, a whirlwind of left hands from Khan finished everything. Khan initially came to noticeable quality when he won a silver decoration in the lightweight division at the 2004 Olympics, in this manner turning into Britain's most youthful boxing Olympic medallist at 17. He won the WBA light-welterweight title in 2009 and the IBF title in 2011. His expert record is 34 wins (20 by knockout) and four thrashings. The Recap: agree to accept the best of the Guardian's game scope Read more After the battle Khan stated: "I've been out of the ring for a long time. I've never taken a vacation day the rec center. I've had a hand activity and the hand felt great in the battle. "Individuals simply needed to see me return and I needed to demonstrate a point and return. I'm two years out of the ring however I'm back with a huge explosion." Whenever inquired as to whether he is focusing on a battle against Brook, Khan stated: "I need to end up a best on the planet again so I need to battle the best folks in the welterweight division. I'm a 147lb warrior. I climbed to 150lb for this battle since I've not been in the ring for a long time. That battle I'm not surging and I'm not fleeing from. "I will battle Kell Brook and I will beat Kell Brook. I'm a superior contender and a more grounded warrior." Creek reacted by revealing to Khan he would influence him to see stars – a reference to Khan's appearance in a year ago's I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! "Amir, every one of the fans need the battle, I need the battle," Brook said. "He can go in the wilderness and pursue stars however when he gets in there with me, I'll influence him to see stars."