Hatton frustration is lesson to Khan

The capricious nature of professional boxing will be fully exposed to wavering amateur Amir Khan tonight.

The Athens silver medallist has accepted an invitation to sit ringside at the MEN Arena in Manchester when Ricky Hatton makes a 14th defence of the World Boxing Union light-welterweight title, against America's Mike Stewart. What Khan sees and hears could prove crucial when he decides whether to chase Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games or turn professional.

The atmosphere will be electric as it always is for unbeaten Hatton and it will also be a lucrative night's work for the 25-year-old. But if Khan gets the chance to ask Hatton if the 'Hitman' is really happy, he is likely to receive a negative answer.

Just as Khan is considering doing in December, Hatton turned professional upon reaching the age of 18. Yet, after seven years of toil, he has yet to trade his lightly regarded WBU title for one of the four more prestigious championships belonging to the WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO. Boxing politics have thwarted his hopes of career-defining fights against Kelson Pinto of Brazil, Australia-based Russian Sharmba Mitchell and Vivian Harris of the United States.

Instead, Hatton was forced to mark time against relative unknowns Dennis Pedersen and Carlos Vilches.

Even Stewart, whose come-forward style should at least make for an action-packed bout with which to entertain Khan, is a part-time truck driver rather than a full-time athlete.

The real prize at stake tonight is No1 challenger status for the IBF title and the prospect of a showdown with the winner of next month's clash between Kostya Tszyu, of Australia, and Mitchell in Phoenix.

Yet Hatton knows a championship fight will only take place if protracted rounds of difficult talks over the purse, venue and television coverage are successful.

In reality, even a comprehensive win over Stewart could still leave Hatton languishing on the sidelines of greatness.

It is into this world that Khan is considering entering. One can only hope he is as prepared to take the knock-backs as he is to deliver knockouts.