Kevin Mitchell has admitted Amir Khan’s move to America will allow him to step out of the shadow of the WBA champion and establish himself as a household name in the UK.

The world title contender sees Khan’s split with Frank Warren and subsequent departure as an opportunity to for him to headline fights in Britain as he continues his trajectory to the top.

The Dagenham fighter, who will be top of the bill on Saturday when he faces Colombian Ignacio Mendoza live on Sky, has questioned Khan’s decision but insists he is ready to fill the void left by the Bolton boxer.

"When Amir was fighting it was always the 'Amir Khan show' and I think now it will be the 'Kevin Mitchell show'. I'll be holding the big bills in London and it will be about me now.

"Now Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe are not about I'll be on the big shows and hopefully they will be in London.

"Amir's done his own thing for his own reasons but he's done me a massive favour in terms of marketability and sponsorship.

"I think Frank's paid him millions and earned him a fortune and I think he could have shown a bit more loyalty to him. It's all right taking the money, but is he going to be looked after the way Frank looked after him?

"I don't know many people who got knocked out in one round in the way he did, so easily, and then two fights later he's a world champion. I've never seen that before in my life. That's what Frank's good at and why he's the best at his job."

Mitchell has long been eager to fight Khan, but if it was difficult when they were both promoted by Warren, it is going to be even more unlikely.

"I think it's made it harder," he said. "I personally think if he thought he could beat me, the fight would be on.

"It would be a highly marketable fight and a massive money generator for the pair of us but I don't think it's on because he doesn't fancy it.

"There's too much to lose for him. There are easier fights out there for the same sort of money where he knows he's not going to be in trouble."