TASIF Khan hopes his first professional boxing belt is just for starters.

The Girlington bantamweight is still celebrating after winning the International Masters title against Mikheil Soloninkini of Georgia at York Hall.

Khan only returned to the ring in January after a two-year absence but has quickly made up for lost time.

His unanimous points victory in London was his third fight in that time, following up two first-round knock-outs.

Khan said: "I'm not in boxing to make up the numbers. My dream was to be a champion and this is the first step in the right direction.

"Winning this puts me in the international rankings and ticks a lot of boxes.

"Now I want to bring the belt back to Bradford and hopefully defend it on a show here or look to win another one.

"Two years out of any sport is really hard. I've come through it, got back fighting and now have a belt – yeah, I'm really proud of what I've achieved."

Khan's biggest worry against the durable Soloninkini was an injury when he overstretched his right arm early on in the contest.

He said: "I felt at the time I must have damaged my shoulder. I tried not to show it but as the rounds went on, I struggled to throw big shots. It wasn't hurting but it did limit me."

The ten-round distance was new territory and Khan learned to pace himself, boxing behind a solid jab.

He struggled in the sixth and was put down by a heavy right. But he stayed out of trouble as the Georgian launched some big follow-ups and cleared his head.

The Bradford fighter saw off the storm to box his way out of danger through the remaining rounds and take the scorecard verdicts 99-94, 98-90 and 98-91.

Khan dedicated his first belt to his eldest brother Tahir and explained: "He pointed me in the right direction.

"He's the first person to totally support me in boxing, has always been there for me and he's the one that made all this possible."