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29 March 2024

Rise to top packs a punch

British boxing sensation Amir Khan was in Dubai this week to launch the Tejarah Executive tower in Ajman. (PATRICK CASTILLO)

Published
By John McAuley

At 21, Amir Khan has done what most men spend a lifetime dreaming about. Mixing with famous footballers and revered rappers, the British boxer even admits to having trouble turning down offers from designer labels and car manufacturers.

The trappings of success are evident, but the superstar attitude that so often accompanies the glory isn't.

Dressed in a crisply pressed Dolce and Gabana t-shirt, expensive jeans and a watch that shimmers in the lobby lights of the Al Qasr Hotel, the young man talks openly about how he has gone from Bolton to box office in just four years.

"It's been mad, man, crazy," he says in a thick Yorkshire accent as he stretches his broad frame across the back of the couch. "Boxing's opened so many doors. Sponsorship deals, commercial deals and there's so much that I have to turn away as well.

"I had the chance to meet Muhammad Ali two years ago in his hometown in Louisville and what an experience that was. I've always looked up to him and read all his books so it was just unbelievable. And, not long ago, I met Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas and trained with his dad and his uncle.

"I've met all the boxers, people like Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, and all the footballers, because that's what boxing brings. You're in a life where you can choose who you want to meet and it's just amazing."

It has been a whirlwind adventure for the young Englishman. Catapulted into the limelight at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the then 17-year-old excelled under the pressure of being the only British representative in the sport, taking silver after losing to Mario Kindelan in the final.

Faith in his own ability is not an issue – an abundance of amateur accolades allows that – but his confidence shouldn't be mistaken for arrogance. He jokes about crippling butterflies in his stomach before each fight at the Games, and describes how isolated he felt during his two weeks spent at the Olympic Village in Athens.

"It was tough because I was only 17 and I was going to the Olympic Games," he explains earnestly. "It's the biggest tournament in the world and the most recognised, so to go there at that age was really difficult. And I was on my own as well, I didn't know anyone in the Great Britain team, so it was a very lonely place."

Khan sought solace in his hectic schedule, fighting one day, having one off, then taking to the ring again the next. He was so focused on winning a medal for his country that he had no idea of the hysteria his quest was generating back home in Britain.

"I didn't know anything, man, nothing at all," says Khan, who only took up boxing because his father couldn't cope with the hyperactive eight-year-old. "Coming from winning World Championships and European Championships, it felt like the same sort of competition because all the fighters were the ones I'd fought in the past.

"But I never realised it was so high-profile; the hype went through the roof. I saw one thing when I stayed in the Olympic Lodge, they had the BBC there and there was a preview for my fight. I thought 'Wow, man, they're advertising my fights'.

"And the front page of the Sun even ran a story on me. I couldn't believe it. You normally make the front pages for a bad thing, but this was for something good. When I got home it really hit me, life just changed."

The boxer details how sponsorship deals and cars were "thrown" at him upon his return from Greece and how he hasn't paid for an item of clothing since. Boxing equipment – a necessity that his father spent so much money on the past – now comes free of charge too.

However, Khan isn't boasting about his newfound wealth or celebrity status – he doesn't do bravado outside the ring. He just seems genuinely surprised by how quickly things have moved in his short career.

The decision to turn professional was made immediately after the Olympics despite, at the time, Khan vowing to train towards winning gold in last month's Beijing Games. He acknowledges the criticism that was levelled at him for graduating too soon, but feels his judgement has been vindicated.

A sell-out crowd of 8,000 – most boxers have to wait until a world title bout for such a claim – in Bolton for his debut fight further reinforced his selection. He remembers fondly everything about that night; the training and media work in the build-up and how he appeared for the first time in the ring without a headguard or vest.

"It was amazing, man," he says with eyes wide bright. "I was very, very nervous in front of my home crowd though. I was showing my body and I had arms like sticks and I looked so young, but there was a big hoo-hah around it and it was on TV.

"And I've done so much now, whereas if I'd gone to Beijing [for the 2008 Olympic] I'd only be turning professional. Now I'm within touching distance of the massive fights and in the top 10 in the world. Financially I'm secure and my name's known all over the place.

"At 17, I was seeing all these stars that I knew from TV and they would come up to me and say, 'Hi Amir, nice to meet you'. I had 50 Cent come over to me and say, 'Hi Amir, I'm a big boxing fan, I've seen you fight. Nice to meet you'.

"You're just shocked. You think, 'Wow, 50 Cent knows my name'. So from being a normal kid from Bolton to now being well known, life has just changed big time. And whatever I want, I just pick up the phone and it's there. That's how mad it is, man."

A life full of unlimited freebies, people waiting at his beck and call, mingling with the desirably rich and famous. And all at 21. You'd feel compelled to dislike the young man if he wasn't so refreshingly nice.

Or if he couldn't beat you to a pulp with his bare hands.

 

Khan on...

... His favourite fight so far

It would have to be the Olympic final in Athens. The level of hype and the amount of nerves and excitement I had running through my body was amazing. I couldn't wait to get into the ring to box and if I could ever do that again and go in there again I would in a flash.


... His favourite fight of all time

It would have to be the 'Rumble in the Jungle' between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. It was a classic because all the odds were against Ali and the way he beat him was brilliant. He beat him mentally because physically he wasn't strong enough. It just shows you a clever fighter always wins the fight.
 

... Why boxing is good for children

It channels your energy in the right way and can be used to keep kids off the street. It put me on the right path and that's why I've opened my own gym in Bolton. It gives something back to the kids and the community. Kids need discipline these days and boxing gives you that.
 

... His work for charity

That's one of the best things to come from my career. I've raised more than £2m (Dh12.7m) for different causes and it makes you feel so good. I've worked with the NSPCC [children's charity], done work for the tsunami and earthquake in Pakistan appeals, cancer research and Children in Need. It's great because I can appeal to kids more easily than some adults can and I get the message through.

... How his religion plays its part

I do all my religious duties, but like to keep that to myself. I don't pray five times a day, but I try to. I go to the mosque on Fridays and pray before all my fights so religion plays a massive role in my life. It's in my heart and when things aren't going your way it's what you move to and it takes my mind off things. It helps me relax and focus.

... How to keep his feet on the ground

I keep my family close to me. My dad's always there and helps take the pressure off me. You can get too big-headed and before you know it lose everything. But I train hard and my family still pushes me to do that. They help me remember that the reason I have all this stuff and the reason I'm where I am today is because of the boxing, so I won't forget that and will keep getting stronger.

... Dealing with his first defeat

I had a hiccup in my last fight, but that's only going to make me better. I've gone back to the drawing board and said that I want to change things. I know where I went wrong and in a way it will prepare me for my world title fights. It happened so quickly I didn't get into the fight, but it's still a loss and it hurts big time. I hold my hand up and say the better man won on the night. I think the punch he caught me with would've knocked anyone out. I'll come back stronger and not give up.