Amir Khan says he will be inspired by Michael Gomez's claims that he will flatten him when the pair meet in Birmingham on June 21.

In a recent interview, Gomez said that he would knock out the 21-year-old rising lightweight star.

The former British and WBU super-featherweight champion insisted that he would repeat his massive 2003 upset when he stopped Alex Arthur, who at the time was unbeaten and on the brink of a world-title fight.

But undefeated Khan, who defends his Commonwealth lightweight title for the fourth time, says he is happy to hear Gomez's comments.

"I wondered when Gomez would start opening his mouth, and it hasn't taken long," said Khan.

"Actually, I want him to say he is going to knock me out because it only makes me want to smash him up even more so I train harder.

"I respect Gomez because of all he's achieved in his career, and he will be a dangerous opponent when I face him because he'll be so fired up.

"Of course, I've seen his fight with Alex Arthur in 2003 a dozen times or so but that night was five years ago and he's five years older and slower now. I've got youth, strength and aggression on my side. Gomez can't keep living off the glory from that fight and relate it to how he is going to beat me."

He added: "To be honest, it suits me down to the ground if Gomez does bring the fight to me because then I can pick him off at will.

"I'll be too quick and too strong for him - and I'm going to show him that on June 21. I'm going to give him a real beating and don't be surprised if he retires after it.

"I know that this fight won't be going the distance, but there's only one man who is going to win by knockout and that's me."

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