Amir Khan of Britain defeated Olympic gold medalist Mario Kindelan 19-13 in a rematch that was the Cuban boxer's final fight.

　　The 18-year-old Khan was the underdog going into the fight in Bolton, England, and had lost twice to Kindelan - the two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion. Kindelan beat Khan in the Olympic final last year in Athens, Greece.

　　Khan announced immediately after the fight he was turning professional, with his first bout set for this summer.

　　"This time I knew I was boxing Kindelan. I knew his style," Khan said. "We have been working on his style for a long time.

　　"I was in there and thinking: 'This is easy work.' Then I switched on again and said: 'I can't think this because this is Kindelan, he is the best in the world."'

　　Promoter Frank Warren said he would be managing Khan. He has called him one of the best prospects coming out of the Olympics since Ray Leonard.

　　"Amir beat the No. 1 amateur fighter in the world," Warren said. "He never looked like he was in any danger whatsoever."

　　Khan scored the first point of the fight with only 40 seconds remaining in the first round, and led 2-1 at the end of the round. More aggressive than the 33-year-old Cuban, he steadily built his lead through the next three rounds of the four-round amateur fight.

　　Khan led 7-5 after the second round, 12-8 after the third and managed to build his lead in the final round.

　　Kindelan said after the Olympic final that he was going to retire, but returned to fight. This time he said his retirement would be permanent.

　　Kindelan entered the fight at 62 kilograms, with Khan weighing 62.5 kilograms.

　　(The Associated Press)