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He often uses his position as a well-known [[Islam in the United Kingdom|British Muslim]] to encourage better relations between British [[Muslims]] and the wider community, particularly in his home town of Bolton.
He often uses his position as a well-known [[Islam in the United Kingdom|British Muslim]] to encourage better relations between British [[Muslims]] and the wider community, particularly in his home town of Bolton.

It is thought that he will be the first boxer to officially come out as a homosexual whilst still boxing.


==Amateur==
==Amateur==

Revision as of 14:12, 3 March 2009

Amir Khan
Born
Amir Khan

(1986-12-08) 8 December 1986 (age 37)
Bolton,
Greater Manchester,
England
NationalityBritish
Statistics
Weight(s)Lightweight
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights20
Wins19
Wins by KO15
Losses1
Draws0
No contests0
Olympic medal record
Men's boxing
Silver medal – second place 2004 Athens Lightweight

Amir Khan (Urdu: عامر خان) (born 8 December 1986) is a British boxer from Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.[1] He is the current Commonwealth lightweight champion, WBA International lightweight champion.[2] In the lightweight division, he is currently ranked at #9 in the world by the WBO.[3]

Background

Khan was raised in Bolton, England. He is an avid supporter of his local football club, Bolton Wanderers, and uses the club's training facilities at the Reebok Stadium.

He was educated at Smithills School[4] in Bolton and Bolton Community College. His first cousin is the England cricket player Sajid Mahmood and his younger brother, Haroon Khan is also a boxer.[5] He was a hyperactive child and "a born fighter", according to his father, who encouraged him to take up boxing.

Khan's family is originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan,[6] and Khan belongs to the Janjua clan of Rajput caste which has a long and well documented history of warrior kings and a strong martial reputation.

He often uses his position as a well-known British Muslim to encourage better relations between British Muslims and the wider community, particularly in his home town of Bolton.

It is thought that he will be the first boxer to officially come out as a homosexual whilst still boxing.

Amateur

Khan began boxing competitively at the age of 11, with early honours including three English school titles, three junior ABA titles and gold at the 2003 Junior Olympics.[7] In early 2004 he won a gold medal at the European Student Championships in Lithuania, and in South Korea several months later he won world junior lightweight title after fighting five times in seven days. Khan then rose to fame as Britain's sole representative in boxing at the 2004 Athens Olympics, winning a silver medal at the age of 17 in the lightweight boxing category. He was Britain's youngest Olympic boxer since Colin Jones in 1976. He lost in the final to Mario Kindelan, the Cuban who had also beaten him several months earlier in the pre-Olympic match-ups in Greece. In 2005 he avenged the two losses by beating the 34 year old Kindelan in his final amateur fight.

Olympic results

Professional

2005–2006

Despite declaring after the 2004 Olympics that he would pursue a Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Khan turned professional in 2005, signing with England's leading boxing promoter, Frank Warren. This was fuelled by a row with the English Amateur Boxing Association over the ticketing allocation for his family and friends at the English ABA Finals.

Khan moved from Lightweight to light welterweight for a single fight against French fighter Rachid Drilzane on 9 December 2006, winning a 10 round decision. Khan experienced the first knockdown of his career when his opponent caught him with a good left.[8] Drilzane had never scored a knockout in his 13 fight career. Khan returned to the lightweight division for future fights.

2007

On 7 April 2007, Khan beat Steffy Bull in a three round technical knockout in Cardiff.

On 14 July 2007 he faced Willie Limond for the Commonwealth lightweight title. During the fight Khan was knocked down in the 6th round and appeared to be hurt badly. However, after another barrage of right hands, Khan weathered the storm and in the seventh round knocked down Limond after a fierce exchange of punches. The referee stopped the fight on advice of the doctor; Limond had sustained a perforated eardrum, broken jaw and damaged right eye.

On 6 October 2007 Khan faced Scott Lawton in his first defence of the Commonwealth lightweight title. Khan fought a mature and clinical fight, boxing with single punches for the majority of the first three rounds. Khan increased the pressure at the end of the third, and secured a TKO victory in the fourth. The referee stepped in when Lawton failed to fight back.

The most significant win of Khan's career so far came when he celebrated his 21st birthday by successfully defending his Commonwealth lightweight title against Graham Earl on 8 December 2007. Earl, rated the number one British lightweight and a former world title challenger, was considered Khan's toughest test by some way and a tough fight was expected; especially due to some ill-feeling between the pair in the run-up to the fight. However, it took Khan just 72 seconds to have the fight referee declare Earl in no fit state to continue. Khan later claimed that he rated this victory as the best of his career.

2008

On 2 February, Khan was scheduled to fight Martin Kristjansen but illness forced the Dane to withdraw and instead Khan beat Australian Gairy St Clair in a contest for the Commonwealth lightweight title at the ExCel Arena in London. This was his first fight to last all 12 rounds and was won via a unanimous 120-108 scoring from all three ringside judges.

On 5 April, Khan beat Kristjansen in the 7th round of a WBO world lightweight title eliminator. Before the contest, the fighters had been ranked 3rd and 4th respectively by the WBO. After Khan's victory, he is now ranked 2nd, behind only Joel Casamayor.

Following the fight, Khan split from his trainer Oliver Harrison, the trainer for all of his previous 17 professional contests. The breakup has been blamed on Harrison's concerns that Khan's public engagements were interfering with his fight preparations.[9] An official spokesperson for Team Khan told reporters there was nothing personal between Khan and Harrison.[10] Dean Powell, who has trained former world champions Duke McKenzie and Lloyd Honeyghan, will work with Khan until a decision on a permanent trainer is made, with Khan possibly looking to America. In the same month, Khan had a training session in Las Vegas with Roger Mayweather, trainer and uncle of Floyd Mayweather.[9]

Khan fought on 21 June at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham against Irishman Michael Gomez. Gomez, a super featherweight who is reaching the end of his career and had lost the last three of his six fights, was described as a "backward step" in Khan's quest for a world title.[11] Khan stated "I think I'm above this domestic level now" and made it clear that he expected a fast and explosive finish to the fight. However, after the fight, Khan said he felt he had moved up a level by "fighting world class fighters like Gomez".[12] Khan received criticism for being knocked down in the second round, but proved his resilience by coming back stronger after this. Former boxing champion Barry McGuigan seemed unimpressed after the fight and said Khan needed at least two more fights before he should consider a world title bout. Many journalists echoed McGuigan's opinion of Khan's defensive vulnerability.

A month after the fight, it was announced that Jorge Rubio would become Khan's new trainer. Rubio was chosen because Khan thought that he had very good chemistry with the Cuban trainer. Khan said "Rubio was showing me all these new training techniques, and I felt so comfortable because it suited by style. I knew I had the handspeed and the footwork to do it and I knew it was going to make me a much better fighter". Many boxing experts thought that Rubio needed to concerntrate on improving Khan's defence and Khan's father agreed that he was showing great defensive skills during his training. In the early August, Bredis Prescott was chosen as Khan's apponent by Jorge Rubio because he had trained a fighter who had narrowly lost to Prescott before and thought that Khan would be able to handle the bigger, taller Prescott who had a prolific knockout record of 17 KO'S in 19 contests. On 6 September 2008, Khan lost to Breidis Prescott in 54 seconds at the M.E.N. Arena on his Sky Box Office debut,[13] handing him his first defeat as a professional boxer. Khan was knocked down within 25 seconds and struggled to make the count, Prescott downed him again within 41 seconds, moments later to win by knockout.

Following his defeat to Prescott, Frank Warren sacked Khan's trainer Jorge Rubio and replaced him with Freddie Roach. Khan began training with him in the United States, where he sparred with world lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who is also being trained by Roach. On December 7, 2008, Khan recorded a impressive comeback win against Oisin Fagan in a second round stoppage. Khan had Fagan down twice in the first round and Fagan's corner threw in the towell in the second before Khan had him down for a third time. Khan was impressive, taking his time, setting up attacks with his jab, dodging and blocking shots before capitalising on Fagan's defensive gaps and making him pay.

2009

Khan is set to fight former seven-time and three-weight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera on 14 March 2009 at the Manchester Evening News Arena.[14] Frank Warren will promote Khan's fight against the veteran Barrera; who is perhaps Khan's highest profile opponent to date. Barrera is ranked #1 and Khan #9 in the WBO world lightweight rankings. Previous IBF and WBO world lightweight title holder Nate Campbell was stripped of the belts after moving up to the light welterweight division and Khan's promoter Frank Warren and Barrera's promoter Don King lobbied the WBO to elevate the Khan-Barrera fight to a world lightweight title eliminator.[3] However, the world-title status was instead given to the fight between Juan Manuel Márquez and Juan Diaz, ranked #2 and #3 respectively by the WBO.[15]

Trainers

Outside boxing

In July 2006 he became involved in the No Messin' campaign which promotes child safety around British railways.[19] The same year he performed an Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca.[20]

Charitable work

After the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, Khan went to Pakistan and handed out food parcels to children in a camp.[21] He has also raised more than £6,000 for a firefighter who was badly burned while trying to save a family from an arson attack in Bolton.[22][23] In early 2006, Khan visited a number of UK Universities, including Southampton Solent, Bolton, Manchester, Kent and Brighton. He also coached and took a boxing session with the university students and donated some of his own money to buy pads, gloves and better bags. When Amir Khan visited Kent university, Norman Gates, the University coach who had trained Khan as a youngster, set up three boxing matches with his most promising hopefuls: Brian Turner, Mustafa El Monet and Michael Masoomi. Khan, despite taking each match up very lightly, hospitalised Kent's amateur Michael Masoomi in the 6th round. When interviewed Khan claimed to have slipped but Masoomi is persistent that it was Khan's intention to send him to the canvas.

He has spent £1 million of his own cash on opening the Gloves Community Centre and boxing gym in Bolton to get youths off the streets.[24][25]

Media

  • Amir was involved in a TV programme for Channel 4, Amir Khan's Angry Young Men, which consisted of three 50-minute episodes. The programme centred around troubled angry men and aimed to use the disciplines of boxing, coupled with faith and family values, to help re-focus their lives and steer them away from trouble in the future. It was screened in August/September 2007.
  • He has also been on a show called Proud Parents with his parents.
  • In April 2008, Khan appeared on TV game show Beat the Star, and in January 2009 he guested on a celebrity version of ITV1's Family Fortunes, pitted against Jennie Bond.

Sports

As well as boxing, Khan also enjoys playing sports such as football, basketball and cricket.[26]

Motoring offences

On 23 October 2007, Khan was convicted of careless driving at Bolton Crown Court and given a six month driving ban and a £1000 fine. The conviction related to an incident that occurred on 2 March 2006 in the centre of Bolton, when Khan's car hit and broke the leg of a pedestrian who was running on a pelican crossing trying to avoid cars. Immediately prior to the accident Khan had swerved around a line of stopped cars and went through a traffic light that had just turned red. He was cleared of dangerous driving[27] and the pedestrian received an interim payment of £40,000.[28] Khan was also summoned to appear in court in Rochdale on 26 October 2007, accused of travelling in excess of 140 mph on the M62 motorway on 31 December 2006. He failed to appear and the case was adjourned to 2 November 2007, with the District Judge warning that he would issue an arrest warrant if the accused did not appear by then. He was also charged with not producing his driving licence and insurance certificate.[29] On 7 January 2008 Khan was fined £1000 and banned for 42 days for the speeding offence.[30]

Record

Amateur boxing

Professional

Res. Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Venue Location Notes
Win David Bailey TKO 1(4), 1:49 July 16, 2005 Bolton Arena Bolton, England First professional fight
Win Baz Carey Decision 4(4) September 10, 2005 Cardiff International Arena Cardiff, Wales Points: 40-34
Win Steve Gethin TKO 3(4), 0:48 5 November 2005 Braehead Arena Glasgow, Scotland
Win Daniel Thorpe TKO 2(4), 2:57 10 December 2005 ExCeL Exhibition Centre London, England
Win Vitali Martynov (BEL) TKO 1(6), 1:15 28 January 2006 Nottingham Arena Nottingham, England
Win "Action" Jackson Williams TKO 3(6), 2:16 25 February 2006 ExCeL Exhibition Centre London, England
Win Laszlo Komjathi (HUN) Decision 6(6) 20 May 2006 King's Hall Belfast, Northern Ireland 60-54
Win Colin Bain (SCO) TKO 2(6), 2:20 8 July 2006 Millennium Stadium Cardiff, Wales
Win Ryan Barrett TKO 1(6), 1:52 2 September 2006 Bolton Arena Bolton, England
Win Rachid Drilzane (FRA) Decision (Unanimous) 10(10) 9 December 2006 ExCeL Exhibition Centre London, England 99-91;99-91;99-91.
Win Mohammed Medjadi (FRA) TKO 1(8), 0:55 17 February 2007 Wembley Arena London, England
Win Steffy Bull TKO 3(8), 1:43 7 April 2007 Millennium Stadium Cardiff, Wales
Win Willie Limond (SCO) RTD 8(12), 3:00 14 July 2007 O2 Arena London, England Limond retired at end of 8th round.

Won Commonwealth Lightweight Title.

Win Scott Lawton TKO 4(12), 0:32 6 October 2007 Nottingham Arena Nottingham, England retained Commonwealth Lightweight title.
Win Graham Earl TKO 1(12), 1:12 8 December 2007 Bolton Arena Bolton, England retained Commonwealth Lightweight title.
Win Gairy St. Clair (AUS)/(GUY) Decision (Unanimous) 12(12) 2 February 2008 ExCeL Exhibition Centre London, England 120-108;120-108;120-108

retained Commonwealth Lightweight title.

Win Martin Kristjansen (DEN) TKO 7(12), 2:53 5 April 2008 Bolton Arena Bolton, England WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title eliminator.
Win Michael Gomez TKO 5(12), 2:32 21 June 2008 National Indoor Arena Birmingham, England
Loss Breidis Prescott (COL) KO 1(12), 0:54 6 September 2008 Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester, England First professional defeat
Win Oisin Fagan (IRE) TKO 2(12), 1:37 6 December 2008 ExCeL Exhibition Centre London, England WBA International Lightweight title eliminator
Marco Antonio Barrera (MEX) 14 March 2009 Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester, England

References

  1. ^ "findmypast.com - Amir Khan". findmypast.com. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  2. ^ Boxing record for Amir Khan from BoxRec (registration required)
  3. ^ a b Ron Lewis (February 16, 2009). "Amir Khan in line to make the most of new world order". The Times. Retrieved 2009-02-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Manchester Sports & Olympic Champions
  5. ^ "'Mum's curries keep us at home'". The Guardian. 2006-07-30. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  6. ^ "Amir Khan's journey to fame". Gulf News. 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  7. ^ "Amir's road to Athens". BBC Sport. 2004-08-28. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  8. ^ "Khan tested on way to first title". BBC Sport. 2006-12-10. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  9. ^ a b "Khan rings in the new with change of trainer". The Guardian. 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  10. ^ "Amir Khan splits with trainer Oliver Harrison". The Telegraph. 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  11. ^ "Shopworn Gomez looks made to order for Khan". British Boxing. 2008-05-07. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  12. ^ "Khan eyes Filipino great Pacquiao". BBC News. 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  13. ^ "Khan knocked out in first round". BBC Sport. 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  14. ^ "Khan to face ring legend Barrera". Sky Sports News. 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
  15. ^ "Khan made to wait". The Times. February 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ http://www.frankwarren.tv/drill/News/Articles/2008/09/22/khan-splits-with-rubio.html
  17. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7627111.stm
  18. ^ http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/st...OXING_Khan.html
  19. ^ "'No Messin' Live! 2006' - railway safety campaign". Network Rail. 2006-07-06. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  20. ^ "Bolton wanderer on pilgrimage from Mecca to Muhammad". The Times. 2006-09-23. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  21. ^ "A gift for Pakistan". The Bolton News. 2005-12-22. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  22. ^ "Amir to help injured firefighter". This Is Lancashire. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  23. ^ "Firefighter hero back on his feet". The Asian News. 2008-08-18. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  24. ^ "Amir Khan Helps mend Broken Britain". The Sun. 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  25. ^ "Socially conscious Khan giving back to local youth in community". ESPN. 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  26. ^ "Amir Khan - A True Talent". Smaart Talent. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  27. ^ "Khan cleared of dangerous driving". Manchester Evening News. 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  28. ^ "Boxer Amir Khan blamed for drink death of 'broken man' steel worker he ran down in sports car". Daily Mail. 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  29. ^ "Judge gives Khan arrest warning". BBC News. 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  30. ^ "Amir Khan driving ban". The Mirror. 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-06-23.

External links

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