Breidis Prescott, who knocked out Amir Khan in 54 seconds last year, is to return to Britain next month to face Kevin Mitchell in a world title eliminator.

The Colombian, virtually unknown when he arrived in Manchester in September last year to face the unbeaten Khan, quickly made a name for himself as he blasted out the Olympic silver-medal winner, knocking him down twice.

Frank Warren, his promoter, described the decision to match Khan with Prescott as the worst of his career — no matter that Khan has gone on to win the WBA light-welterweight title — so eyebrows will be raised that he is to pit another of his young stars against the Colombian, with a WBO lightweight title challenge on the line.

“This time I’ve had time to study Prescott,” Warren said. “Kevin needs a challenge and is capable of beating Prescott.

“Before Prescott boxed Amir I hadn’t even seen a tape of him, but the trainer and the team were keen on him, so I went along with it. I think Amir could beat him if he prepared right for him.”

Ironically, it could have been Mitchell who had stopped Khan going to the Athens Olympics in 2004, had he decided to remain an amateur instead of turning professional after winning an ABA title in 2003 at the age of 18.

He holds the British super-featherweight title, is unbeaten in 29 bouts and is ranked No 1 by the WBO, while being in the top ten of the WBC and IBF.

“It’s a risk, it’s a cracking fight and it can put Kevin in a very good position,” Warren said. No date or venue for the bout has been announced.

David Haye believes that he will score a spectacular knockout when he challenges Nikolay Valuev for the WBA heavyweight title in Nuremberg on Saturday. “I’ve dreamt of the moment Valuev falls to the canvas and I truly believe it will be one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of all time,” Haye said.