Amir Khan will get the chance to celebrate his 21st birthday in style after claiming his 14th professional victory with a fourth-round stoppage of Scott Lawton in Nottingham.

Promoter Frank Warren has promised Khan he will mark his milestone with a grand homecoming fight in Bolton on December 8 - the same night Ricky Hatton challenges Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.

Khan is eager to use the occasion to move further up in class after the way he rebounded to form with his comprehensive win over the Stoke man to retain his Commonwealth lightweight title.

Memories of his shock knockdown to Willie Limond in his last fight in July were all but expunged as Khan dominated the fight before launching a lightning combination which prompted referee Victor Loughran to wisely step in.

Khan said: ''I want to take another step up and I want to learn more and more. I want to fight good guys who can give me confidence to go on to even bigger things. I want to prove to everyone I'm the best.''

Top of Khan's wish list is a showdown with reigning British champion Jon Thaxton, who was relatively unimpressive in the way he defended his title against Dave Stewart on Friday.

While Thaxton is unlikely to be named as Khan's birthday opponent, a meeting between the country's leading lightweights looks increasingly inevitable, and Lawton is best placed to judge the outcome.

The personable challenger, who did not have the punch power to trouble Khan but came with a reputation as a well-schooled fighter, went seven rounds with Thaxton in a title challenge in February.

''I think Amir would definitely beat Thaxton,'' said Lawton. ''I knew he was going to come out quickly but I didn't realise how fast he was or how hard he hit.

''I've just asked someone to go and look for my rib because I think it's ended up in row Z. He hits a fair body shot and I'm still winded now.

''I've never boxed a kid ever who I've thought I couldn't beat. But I don't think I'd ever beat Amir based on that performance. I thought he was absolutely brilliant.''

Khan added: ''The knockdown against Limond is the best thing that ever happened to me. It made me focus and gave me the kick up the arse to realise I'm a professional and I'm not invincible.

''Now I'd love to win the British title. I'd love to fight Jon. He was slow and I'm getting stronger with every fight so I honestly think I'd have no problems with him.''