Amir Khan claims his sparring partners are better than Saturday's opponent Samuel Vargas, but he is not taking the Birmingham bout lightly and has "trained like it's a world title fight".

After returning from a two-year absence against Phil Lo Greco in April, ended by the Briton within 40 seconds, Khan (32-4-0) is fighting another Canada-based boxer in Vargas (29-3-2) this week.

Vargas has talked down Khan's chances, but the former world champion is determined to deliver, knowing that victory against a modest opponent can provide a launching pad for a return to the top.

"I'm glad that the team on my left [Vargas] is talking and they're confident," Khan told a news conference. "It makes the fight more exciting.

"I've trained really hard for this fight - as I do for all of my fights - and sparred with amazing, tough, tough fighters, who are probably better than my opponent.

"When I come in the ring, I'm going to give Birmingham a great fight. I'll do what I do best. We never go into a fight looking for a knockout, we never go into a fight throwing big bombs, but if it happens, it happens. If I see an opening, I take it.

"I've been watching videos of Vargas and I've seen a few things in there. I know I've got everything it takes to win this fight.

"I've been in this position many times, I've been in bigger positions than this many times. I'm a veteran of the sport. I just can't wait to get in the ring now.

"I'm not seeing Vargas as another Lo Greco. I'm going to be facing the best fighter from Canada. I've trained like it's a world title fight, because I know where this fight can take me."

Vargas spots weaknesses within Khan, though, and insists he expects to win.