Amir Khan has confirmed Dmitry Salita is likely to be his next opponent as he makes the first defence of his WBA light-welterweight title.

Promoter Frank Warren has been in talks with Salita's camp about a clash at an as yet undecided venue in December.

Salita, who was born in Ukraine but raised in New York, would be the mandatory challenger for the belt Khan won with a points victory over Andreas Kotelnik at Manchester's MEN Arena in July.

And although he is not the biggest name on Khan's hitlist, the 22-year-old champion feels Salita is the right man for him at this stage in his blossoming pro career.

"We've been in talks with them and nothing has been confirmed but I'd like to fight him," Khan said.

"He's a mandatory for the title, but I don't see what the big hoo-ha is about, because at the end of the day, if they really want the fight and I'm giving Salita a chance to fight for my title, I think he should grab that with both hands.

"He might never get that chance again and I think it will be a big fight. He's a number one contender and I think he's the ideal fight for me at this moment in time.

"He's an American and I want to build my name up in America, so this is a fight to target."

Khan has made his desire to fight in the United States known, but for the time being he would like to put on a show at another new venue for his growing UK fanbase.

He said: "I'm looking towards December time, although I don't know when in December, and I'd like to pick a venue where I haven't boxed before, in the UK.

"We've fought in Manchester a few times, in London a few times, Birmingham a few times, but we'd like to go somewhere we haven't fought before.

"We'll have a sit down with Frank Warren - I'll leave that for my business team to look after and I'll just concentrate on the training. By the time I'm in my training camp in a couple of weeks, everything should be confirmed."

Khan returns to Los Angeles soon where he has been training under Freddie Roach and sparring with Manny Pacquiao, who is preparing to take on Miguel Cotto.

The fight that has everyone talking is Pacquiao's potential battle with Floyd Mayweather Jr, who returned to the ring after a 21-month absence last week to score a unanimous points victory over Juan Manuel Marquez.

Khan admits he was impressed by Mayweather's comeback, but has his money on Pacquiao emerging triumphant from any fight between them - and is looking forward to a time in the not-too-distant future when he can take them on himself.

On Mayweather's win over Marquez, Khan said: "It was brilliant, Floyd is a great fighter.

"Coming back and having the pressure of not being in the ring for a year and a half - I think he looked better than before he retired.

"Boxing is exciting, with these champions coming forward and back in the ring. It's an addiction that boxing gives you.

"Floyd Mayweather called it a day and never wanted to look at boxing again, and a year and a half later he's back in the ring again and is still classed as one of the very best in the world.

"I train alongside Manny Pacquiao who is also classed as one of the best in the world - what a fight that would be. It's all brewing up for one big fight.

"But I'm the same weight as well and one day in the future maybe there could be a fight down the line for me.

"At the moment we're taking our time and Salita is hopefully the next man for me.

"But from there the tougher fights and the bigger names will start coming. In a year's time I think I'll be in the same mix as them with the likes of Marquez, Mayweather and Manny."

Khan believes Pacquiao's speed would be the decisive factor in any contest with Mayweather.

"I've trained with both of them, and I have to back my guy - my guy is Manny Pacquiao and I think Manny might take the fight with his speed," Khan said.

"A lot of people forget that speed is power. You can't take it away from Mayweather, who is a fast fighter. But when you take speed, with amount of punches you throw - Manny throws a lot of punches with speed, whereas Mayweather is more a single-shot fighter.

"He's still quick, but I don't think single shots will keep Manny Pacquiao away from Mayweather, whereas I know combinations will push Mayweather back.

"I would say the fight looks 60% towards Manny's favour, and he's been more active, in the ring more.

"Mayweather's performance coming back from retirement looked great though, and that was one fight - maybe in the second fight he might look even better. Time will tell."

:: Khan was speaking at the opening of a new Instore Dental practice at a Sainsbury's store in Bolton, which will allow shoppers to call in to see a dentist or a hygienist often without an appointment.