Frank Warren has warned Amir Khan he must not underestimate Dmitriy Salita (Khan 1/6 draw 33/1 Salita 7/2 fight prices) and revealed a future fight with Ricky Hatton is a “knocking bet”.

Khan will make the first defence of his WBA light-welterweight title on Saturday against Brooklyn-based Salita confident of retaining his belt.

Warren believes the Bolton fighter has matured since his “very careless” defeat by Breidis Prescott in 2008 and is convinced the 22-year-old has fully moved on since his shock first-round knockdown.

Salita believes Khan’s chin is a weakness and Warren knows the unbeaten Ukraine-born mandatory challenger poses a threat.

He said: “Amir’s got to be on top of his game to beat him. I expect him to beat him, I’ve got a lot of confidence in Amir but this guy fancies the job.”

Warren also suggested an all-English showdown between Khan and Hatton could happen but expressed reservations about why the Manchester hero would want to risk his well-being.

He told Sky Sports: “He doesn’t need to fight, but if he does come back – and I hope he doesn’t – and wants to fight Amir, why not? For me that fight is a knocking bet for Amir.

“I don’t see anything he can do to beat Amir Khan, but if I was him I wouldn’t fight, I don’t think it’s good for him and I certainly don’t think it’s good for boxing.”

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