London, Nov 23 WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan, has said that he wants to drop his image as a kid from the Athens Olympics and be recognized as a proper champion.

Khan said he has matured as a boxer since he joined boxing trainer and former boxer Freddie Roach in Los Angeles last year.

"In many ways I was still a boy in boxing terms when I went over and began with Freddie," The Mirror quoted Khan, as saying.

"I had to learn fast and that is the way Freddie does his business - thankfully, it worked for me. In his gym I was just another fighter and had to prove I was good every day against hard fighters in the ring," he added.

The 22-yesr-old further said that he hates to see himself being portrayed as a baby in the boxing world.

"I get a bit annoyed when I keep reading that people think I'm a baby and that I've had it easy. It was not easy getting to the Olympic final and I've had to come back from a big defeat as a pro," Khan said.

"I don't want a special treatment, but I deserve respect for what I've done so far," he added. (ANI)