Amir Khan has the potential to rise through the weight divisions and win multiple world titles like his training partner Manny Pacquiao, according to the British boxer’s trainer Freddie Roach.

Khan took just 76 seconds to overcome the challenge of New Yorker Dmitriy Salita in a brief but brutal first defence of his World Boxing Association (WBA) light-welterweight title at the Metro Radio Arena here in Newcastle.

Salita, 27, lost his 31-fight unbeaten record after being floored twice by Khan in the first minute of Saturday’s bout, before a left hook to the chin sent the Ukraine-born boxer to the canvas for a final time before the referee waved the fight off.

It was yet more evidence of how Khan has improved under Roach since he suffered his first professional defeat when he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Colombian Breidis Prescott in September 2008.

Khan, 23 on Tuesday, leaves his home in Bolton, England, to train at Roach’s Los Angeles gym for several weeks before his fights and has sparred with Filipino Pacquiao, who is regarded as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer.

Roach also trains Pacquiao and believes Khan can emulate the success of the superstar boxer who is reportedly due to box next against American Floyd Mayweather Jnr on March 13.

Khan, who won silver at the 2004 Olympics aged just 17, began his professional career at lightweight but Roach believes the WBA light-welterweight champion could eventually box at middleweight.

“He is the world champion, but I think he can move up the divisions and become a multi-titlest,” Roach told reporters after Saturday’s fight.

“I’ve been with Amir for about a year and I think he is about halfway there.

“He has the body to go up to 147lb [welterweight], even 160lb [middleweight] in the long term. I think he has the potential to be a superstar and win multiple titles.

“He has the size to go up to middleweight, but not everyone can take the punches. It depends how he fills out and he is still growing. The key thing is to take the speed and power up with you and we will see how it goes. A lot of guys can’t take the power up with them.”

Roach intends to use Khan as a sparring partner for Pacquiao and help the Filipino prepare for his fight against unbeaten Mayweather in a clash to decide boxing’s pound-for-pound champion.

As for Khan’s next fight, the Briton said before the fight that he wants to head to the”Amir’s got speed so they will spar,” Roach said. “He will help a lot with that fight. The thing is Amir has a style that is good for Manny.” United States in 2010, although he is undecided as to whether his next fight will be his debut there.

“After that reception tonight, I would love to fight in England again,” Khan said. “Next year some time I want to go to the States. Hopefully we will shock the world when I go to America. It’s my dream to fight in Las Vegas.

“I’m still 22 and I have a long way to go yet. I’m just growing into a man and I haven’t hit my peak yet. I can only get better.

“I was killing myself trying to make lightweight but now I’ve moved up to light-welterweight I’ve filled out more. I’m happier at light-welterweight.

“I want to fight the best but I will take a break before making a decision on my next fight.”

Khan’s dazzling hand speed was just too much for Salita, who was given two standing counts before being deposited back on the canvas for a third and final time.

“He started fast, faster than most people I’ve fought, and I didn’t get the opportunity to get myself going at all,” said Salita.