British boxing sensation Amir Khan hopes to make his United States debut next year after facing his first American opponent in London in December.

Amir Khan.[AFP]

British promoter Frank Warren announced on Thursday he would be bringing in an as yet unnamed opponent from the States to face the 2004 Olympic silver medallist at London's Excel Arena on December 9 for an eight-round bout.

Leading US broadcaster HBO are keen to follow the career of 19-year-old Khan who has so far won all of his first nine fights as a professional, seven inside the distance.

Khan, who recently met with American boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard on a trip to the States, said: "I would love to fight over there.

"Sugar Ray Leonard sat down with me and talked about the Olympics. He knows me as a future champion and told me, 'You want to come over here and crack America'.

"I want to build my name up in the States as well as here. I want people in America to know who I am, that I'm a good boxer and that I'm going to be a great champion."

Warren added: "HBO have said they will give him the maximum exposure they can and that will hopefully involve a fight in the States."

Meanwhile Khan was still savouring meeting some of the biggest names in boxing.

"It was wicked to meet Muhammad Ali," he said. "This guy is my hero and I was with him in Louisville."

Khan also met current Filipino star Manny Pacquiao, a two-weight world champion at flyweight and super-bantamweight.

He met Pacquiao after working out with leading trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and also had a session at the famous Gleeson's gym in New York.

"I did a session with Freddie Roach and met Manny Pacquiao," said Khan. Then I went to Gleeson's gym.

"Zab Judah trains there and his trainer said he would love to train with me if I go back."

Khan hopes to win his first professional title next year and Warren said: "I don't know which title it will be, it depends what's available.

"It could be the British, the Commonwealth or even the English. Amir hasn't fought over eight rounds yet, let alone 10, and the English would give him the opportunity for a 10-rounder."

Warren believes that Khan could yet be on course to fight his other main young prospect, former British Amateur Boxing Association champion Kevin Mitchell, who meets Ghana's George Ashie for the vacant Commonwealth super-featherweight title at London's York Hall on Saturday.

"Provided they stay at the same weight, the big fight for Amir would be Kevin Mitchell. York Hall is sold out for Saturday and, provided they both keep winning, we will be building it up."