AMIR Khan coasted through his second professional fight against plucky Baz Carey, but the man himself insists there is plenty more to come.

The 18-year-old produced a textbook display, mustering just about every shot in the boxing manual, but it was not quite enough to put away the granite-jawed Carey.

The Midlander fought with the heart of a lion. Unfortunately on Sunday morning, he awoke with the eyes of a panda. The 29-year-old was cut inside the first two minutes of the first round, and could barely see the barrage of punches which landed from there on in.

It was the four-round test Khan had been looking for, and he was quick to praise his opponent despite the massive gulf in class.

"It's brilliant that I have gone the four rounds. Baz made me work, he is a strong opponent and he was always there, coming forward," said Khan.

"Now at least I know I can go four rounds with a high workrate.

"I have to give a lot of credit to Baz because I have sparred with a lot of boxers, hit them, and they have gone down. Baz just stood there and come back as well.

"Baz watched a few videos of me and had a plan of what he wanted to do, he wasn't like David Bailey who just came running on. I think if Baz had done the same thing as Bailey it would have finished a lot quicker - but Baz is a lot cleverer, he showed his experience."

It was a far from flawless performance from Khan, who should not perhaps have let the fight go as far as it did. He was rarely caught, but seemed to ride the punches with the same assured arrogance with which he was dishing them out. Little went right for Carey on the night, right from the start. He was left standing at the entrance to the arena for an eternity before ITV finally gave him the necessary thumbs up to walk to the ring, and after barely 60 seconds of the first round, he must have wished he was still watching from the curtain.

Khan produced a quick combination in the corner which opened up a nasty cut on Carey's left eye, and he spent the rest of the round avoiding the onslaught as best as possible.

It was a far cry from Khan's debut, where Londoner Bailey flew at him as if possessed by the devil. The fight was played at Khan's pace, and his tempo was quick.

The second round went much the same, but Khan eased up his assault somewhat - prompting calls from his corner to 'keep on boxing'. He heeded their warning, and produced a couple of fine lefts that had Carey wobbling before the bell sounded.

Khan's defences were rarely tested, but in the third round Carey managed to land a few right hands to the back of the head. It did little to faze the Bolton teenager, and he rode out the rest of the fight in second gear.

His promoter Frank Warren was pleased with the way Khan refused to panic after Carey soaked up some of his harshest punishment. He said: "You've got to fight all guys with different styles, that's how you learn. Sometimes when you catch people, they don't go, and you have to have a plan B. He's shown a lot of maturity in there.

"You'll find as time goes on that he will plant his feet a bit more, and there will be a bit more power in there, don't forget he's only 18 years of age. He was brilliant, I was really pleased."