PONTYPOOL middleweight Tony Doherty's next fight will be on the Amir Khan debut bill at the 7,000-seater Bolton Arena on July 16.

And the unbeaten youngster is happy to act as a warm-up to the main bout of the evening, even though he has won all his 14 fights.

"I admire Amir greatly for what he achieved in the Olympics (silver medalist) and have all the respect for him in the world and wish him all the best," said Doherty.

"I don't mind playing second or even third fiddle and I'm not too concerned if he takes all the headlines and I don't receive much coverage because it's good for British boxing and I know my time will come.

"Last time out I gave a dreadful performance (in gaining a points win over Frenchman Belaid Yahiaoui, loser of 16 of his 25 fights) and I have to make amends.

"The guy was very tough and upset my game plan and I had to dog it out, which happens sometimes.

"But it was a valuable experience, I completed my first eight-rounder, and I won despite not being at the top of my game.

"I would be happy to have a few more fights like that and I would even be happier if they gave him a rematch. I expect it'll be another Frenchman or East European at Bolton."

Doherty heard of his appearance on the Amir Khan bill from Sports Network matchmaker Dean Powell at the Ricky Hatton/Kostya Tszyu clash and is confident of being 100% fit for the fight, even though he has had to keep off his feet this week after slipping on a training run last Thursday and spraining an ankle.

"I'm back in the gym and I'm sure I'll be fine," he said. "If I'm not 100% I won't fight, but I do really want to be on the bill."

Doherty added: "There is talk of Frank Warren (the promoter) doing a deal with ITV to televise the Bolton bill and other shows and if that happens and someone else takes over his contract with Sky that will mean extra exposure for British boxing on television.

"Frank Warren has done and is doing a great job and the more exposure the better."