LAS VEGAS, (Reuters) – Olympic silver medallist  Amir Khan has predicted a volatile, high quality contest when  his compatriot Ricky Hatton defends his IBO light-welterweight  title against Filipino Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Briton has huge respect for both fighters  and has regularly sparred with Pacquiao at the Wild Card Boxing  Club in Los Angeles where they share the same trainer, Freddie  Roach.

“This fight is going to be explosive,” Khan told Reuters at  the MGM Grand Hotel on Tuesday. “You’ve got two great fighters  at the peak and the prime of their career.

“I think it’s going to be all about who can get who first,  who settles down in the fight quicker and the best man is going  to win.”

Khan, who will have his first crack at a world title when  he takes on Andreas Kotelnik of Ukraine for the WBA world  light-welterweight belt in June, said it was a shame two great  fighters had to face each other.

“They could be great fighters in different weights,” said  Khan, lightweight silver medallist at the 2004 Athens Games.

“But what a fight it’s going to be for the crowd. I think  we are all going to be on the edge of our seats. I can’t wait  for it.”

“Manny has got speed, Hatton has got power … Manny has  got great footwork, Hatton is very good at cutting (off) the  ring. It’s going to be very explosive.”

Khan disagreed, however, with his trainer Roach’s forecast,  that former four-division world champion Pacquiao would beat  Hatton in three rounds.

“I think he’s probably just saying three rounds as a  mess-around,” said Khan (21-1-0), who has fought mainly in the  lightweight division.