De La Hoya insists boxer Amir Khan can join him in Hall of Fame

Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has said that British boxer Amir Khan is so good that he reminds him of a special boxer himself.

De La Hoya, who is Khan's promoter in America, stages the British boxer's second defence of his WBA world light-welterweight title against Paulie Malignaggi at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

De La Hoya won Olympic gold in 1992 followed by 10 world titles in six different weight classes, defeating 17 world champions, The Sun reports.

Khan took silver at the Athens Olympics and will be making only the second defence of his title. But De La Hoya insists the kid from Bolton can join him in the Hall of Fame.

"When I look into Amir's eyes I can see something of myself in there. We were around the same age when we won our Olympic medals. When I saw Amir fight in Athens, I saw everything that a good fighter is supposed to have - talent of course, the speed, the power and especially the passion," De La Hoya said.

"Those are the attributes that helped me to become who I am in the sport of boxing. It really is a privilege for me to guide Amir Khan's career into something special for the future.

"Not too many fighters can win multiple championships in multiple divisions. Amir Khan has the ability to become a super-champion, a legend. And that's what really attracted me to him. He has that it factor. Talent, passion, the looks and the charisma," De La Hoya added.