Amir Khan has fallen back in love with boxing after admitting his time away from the ring left him feeling "lost" and "doing silly things" in his much-publicised personal life.

The Bolton welterweight spent nearly two years out after a brutal loss to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2016 in what was an ambitious jump up in both weight and class.

That hiatus coincided with a string of problems in his family life, as the former champion had little to focus on other than a 'celebrity' lifestyle which included a stint on popular reality show 'I'm A Celebrity'.

However, a return to action in April saw him blast away former world title prospect Phil Lo Greco in 40 seconds in Liverpool and he seeks to shake off more ring rust against Samuel Vargas in Birmingham on Saturday.

"Boxing definitely gets the hunger back," the 31-year-old told Press Association Sport.

Amir Khan during a media workout at the Bullring.

"It helps keep the mind relaxed, chilled and thinking straight.

"When I was away from boxing, I was lost. That's one of the reasons I came back; I thought 'you know what? Boxing is what I need'.

"I had so much energy in me I was doing silly things, so I decided I need to divert it into boxing and direct it into the right place. And look - I'm back now. You saw how I came back against Lo Greco and it didn't surprise me that I knocked

him out so quickly because I'm one of the best fighters in the world.

"Just because I've been out of the ring for such a long time, people seemed to kind of forget how good I am and where I left off."

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Khan, who needed to strip naked to make the 10st 7lb limit on Friday, did indeed look impressive when dispatching former Golden Boy Promotions prospect Lo Greco in Liverpool and he admits it gave him the taste for boxing again.

"Maybe it was a good statement," he said. "It was a direct statement to knock Lo Greco out the way I did, because it showed I'm still a level above.

"But at the moment I've got Vargas in front of me and hopefully I'll put in a good performance against him and move on.

"Boxing is what I love doing, that's why I'm doing it. At the end of the day, people can say what they want and do what they want but I'm a fighter. I was born a fighter and I'm going to do it until I feel it's time to stop."

Amir Khan during a public workout at the Rotunda Square.

Khan has his sights set on a blockbuster fight with Manny Pacquiao or domestic rival Kell Brook before the year is out.

However, he is not overlooking Vargas, with victory at the Birmingham Arena a big stepping stone towards a huge stadium clash in his next fight.

Colombia-born Canadian Vargas - who made the weight with a pound to spare - has different ideas, though.

"You'll enjoy the show," he vowed.

"I've had a great camp with a great team. It's been tremendous. I've been sparring lots of rounds with guys from Puerto Rico, the States, Canada.

"There's no doubt in my mind I'll be victorious, whether it's going the distance, knockout or breaking his ribs.

"If I even touch him or clip him with something, he'll be hurt."