 Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Amir Iqbal Khan |
| Nickname(s) | "King Khan" |
| Rated at | Lightweight Light welterweight Welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Born | 8 December 1986 Bolton, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 32 |
| Wins | 29 |
| Wins by KO | 19 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 0 |
Amir Iqbal Khan (born 8 December 1986) is a British professional boxer. He is a former two-time world champion by winning WBA, WBA (Super) and IBF Light Welterweight titles.[1]
Amir Khan is the youngest British Olympic boxing medalist, winning silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of 17. He is also one of the youngest British world champions ever, winning the WBA Light Welterweight title at age 22, the first-ever British Pakistani boxing major world champion, the second overall after Jawaid Khaliq,[2] as well as the first Punjabi descent world boxing champion.
Early life
Khan was born and raised in Bolton, England, in a Janjua Rajput origin British Pakistani family with roots in the Punjab.[3] He was educated at Smithills School in Bolton,[4] and Bolton Community College. Khan is a Muslim,[5] and is an active supporter of the Muslim Writers Awards.[6]Khan has two sisters and one brother, Haroon "Harry" Khan, an undefeated Professional boxer.[7] He is the first cousin of English cricketer Sajid Mahmood, related through a Paternal grandfather, Lal Khan, who moved to England after being discharged from the Pakistan Army [8]
Amateur career
Khan began to box 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.[9] 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. One of his notable early amateur fights was against Victor Ortíz, whom he defeated in a second round stoppage. Overall, he compiled an amateur record of 101-9.2004 Olympic Games
Khan qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics by finishing in first place at the 1st AIBA European 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He was Britain's sole representative in boxing at the Athens Games, 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 last amateur fight.Highlights
- 2003 – Won a gold medal at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
- 2004 – Won a gold medal at the European Student Championships and the World Junior Championships.
- 2004 – Won the Strandja Cup to qualify for the Olympics in Athens
- 2004 – Won an amateur match against Victor Ortíz, who was stopped in the second round.
- 2004 – Won a silver medal at the Olympics, beating Marios Kaperonis, Dimitar Stilianov, Jong Sub Baik and Serik Yeleuov. He lost to Mario Kindelan in the final.
- 2005 – Beat Craig Watson on points in the ABA Championships.
- 2005 – Won the last match of his amateur career beating Mario Kindelan 19–13 at the Reebok Stadium.
Professional career
Lightweight
On 2 February 2008, Khan was scheduled to fight Martin Kristjansen, but illness forced the Dane to withdraw and instead Khan beat Australian Gary 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 2008, Khan beat Kristjansen in the seventh round of a WBO lightweight Title Eliminator. Before the contest, the fighters had been ranked third and fourth respectively by the WBO. After Khan's victory, he was ranked second, 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 break-up was blamed on Harrison's concerns that Khan's public engagements were interfering with his fight preparations.[10] Khan's spokesman told reporters there was "nothing personal" between Khan and Harrison.[11] Dean Powell, who has trained former world champions Duke McKenzie and Lloyd Honeyghan, worked with Khan until a decision on a permanent trainer was made. In the same month, Khan had a training session in Las Vegas with Roger Mayweather, trainer and uncle of Floyd Mayweather, Jr.[10]
Khan fought on 21 June 2008, at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham against Irishman Michael Gomez. Gomez, a super featherweight champion who was reaching the end of his career and had lost the last one of his six fights, was described as a "backward step" in Khan's quest for a world title.[12] Khan stated "I think I'm above this level now" and made it clear that he expected a fast and explosive finish to the fight knocking down Gomez two times in the fight and a great finish. However, after the fight, Khan said he felt he had moved up a level by "fighting a good fighters like Gomez".[13] 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[who?] echoed McGuigan's opinion of Khan's needs to work on his defence.
A month after the Gomez 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 my style. I knew I had the hand speed 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 concentrate on improving Khan's defence, especially in keeping a high guard, and Khan's father agreed that he was showing great defensive skills during his training.
In early August, the lightweight Breidis Prescott was chosen by Rubio as Khan's next opponent. Rubio had trained a fighter who had narrowly lost to Prescott before and thought that Khan would be able to handle the bigger Prescott, who had a prolific knock-out record of 17 KOs in 19 contests. On 6 September 2008, Khan was a huge favourite and was hoping to win a world title by the end of the year. Prescott came out fast in the fight and landed some good shots; a stiff jab jerked Khan's head back and foreshadowed what was to come. Prescott landed a left hook that jabbed Khan's temple; dizzying his senses. Instead of holding, Khan tried to punch back, but instead was punched on the head by a left hook, right hook combo, sending him crashing to the canvas. He managed to get to his feet, but was stumbling about badly. Prescott ended it for good with another left that put Khan down again. This time, he was unable to get up. It was officially over in 55 seconds. The fight was at the Manchester Evening News Arena on Khan's Sky Box Office debut.[14]
Following his defeat to Prescott, Frank Warren sacked Khan's trainer Jorge Rubio and replaced him with Freddie Roach. Khan began training with Roach in the United States, where he sparred with then WBC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao, who is also being trained by Roach. On 6 December 2008, Khan recorded a comeback win against Oisin Fagan in a second-round stoppage. With victory, Khan won the vacant WBA International lightweight title. Khan knocked Fagan down twice in the first round and Fagan's corner threw in the towel in the second, after being knocked down again.
Khan vs. Barrera
In early 2009, it was announced that Khan would fight former seven-time and three-weight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera on 14 March, at the Manchester Evening News Arena.[15] Frank Warren promoted Khan's fight against the veteran Barrera, perhaps Khan's highest-profile opponent to date. Barrera was ranked No. 1 and Khan No. 5 in the WBO world lightweight rankings. Previous IBF and WBO 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.[16] However, the world-title status was instead given to the fight between Juan Manuel Márquez and Juan Diaz, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively by the WBO.[17]On 14 March 2009, at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England, Khan defeated Barrera, by a technical decision. The fight was stopped towards the end of the fifth round due to Barrera suffering a cut in the first round, which resulted from a clash of heads. With Barrera deemed in no position to fight on by the ringside doctor, the fight then went to the scorecards where Khan was ahead on all three (50–44, 50–45, 50–45). With victory, Khan defended his WBA International lightweight title and also won the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title.
Frank Warren was sufficiently impressed with Khan's performance that he vowed to land a world title fight for him before the end of the year.
"There was a lot on his shoulders, but I always felt he could rise to the big occasion. I'd like to see him get a belt round his waist by the end of this year."[18]Khan also commented on the fight, saying:
"I felt so completely easy, catching him with jabs. I felt like I was on a better level than him. The jabbing and patience – I felt so strong. You could see the difference. I had to take some shots in that match. I made some mistakes in the past and I'm not going to make them again."[18]
Light Welterweight
Khan vs. Kotelnik, Salita
On 18 July 2009, Khan moved up to the light welterweight division to fight Andreas Kotelnik at the MEN Arena in Manchester for the WBA light welterweight title. Khan won by a unanimous decision, 120–108, 118–111, 118–111, and became the third-youngest Brit to win a world title, at the age of 22.[19]On 6 October 2009, Frank Warren confirmed that Khan would defend his WBA light welterweight title against undefeated Ukrainian American boxer Dmitry Salita, the mandatory challenger, on 5 December, at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.[20] Due to Khan being a practising Muslim and Salita being an Orthodox Jew, the fight was hyped as a religious clash by the media, referring to it as a "battle of faiths" or "holy war", though Khan and Salita have both denied such claims.[21][22] On 5 December 2009, Khan defeated mandatory challenger Salita in 76 seconds, winning by TKO in the first round. Salita was knocked down three times, the first time after just 10 seconds into the fight.[23] It was the first ever loss of Salita's career.[24]
On 17 January 2010, Khan announced he had split with British promoter Frank Warren and signed a deal with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions, with Khan's fights moving back to ITV.[25]
Khan vs. Malignaggi, Maidana
Main article: Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana
Khan successfully defended his title for the third time against WBA interim champion and mandatory challenger, Marcos Maidana who held a record of 29 wins, 27 knockouts and only 1 loss. Amir Khan was heavily criticized for having a glass chin, as he was stunned mid-way through the 10th round by a heavy right hand. Nevertheless, Khan over came heavy punishment and walked away with a unanimous decision.Khan vs. McCloskey, Judah
Main article: Amir Khan vs. Paul McCloskey
Khan took on Paul McCloskey in his next fight. The 31-year-old Northern Irishman was unbeaten in 22 fights and was ranked world number 10. Khan said: "I am delighted that this fight has finally been put together following some tough negotiations. This is a matchup the British public want to see and will be a fantastic fight between two of the best light-welterweights in the country." [28]Khan won a sixth-round technical decision after Paul McCloskey was cut by an unintentional head-butt and could not go on in the estimation of the ring doctor.[29] The heads of Khan and McCloskey collided about two minutes into the sixth round, causing a bad cut on the inside of the Irishman’s left eyebrow. Another tactical few rounds followed, with Khan the main aggressor. In the decisive sixth, a five-punch combination from Khan staggered McCloskey and moments later the pair went toe-to-toe before McCloskey wheeled away and noticed blood coming from around his left eye.[30]
Khan had some trouble with the awkward and resilient southpaw, who was difficult to hit cleanly, but he was both too quick and too busy for McCloskey, winning all six rounds on all three cards.[31]
Main article: Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah
After a war of words with Judah on Twitter, Amir Khan agreed on 31 May 2011 to fight Zab Judah in attempt to unify the IBF and WBA Light Welterweight titles in Las Vegas on 23 July.[32][33] Amir Khan started the fight with a left jab. Round 1 saw a busy Amir Khan as he fought from the outside and kept Judah away with jabs and straights. All four rounds were taken by Khan. Ultimately on the fifth round Zab was taken down with a right uppercut to the body, in which at first commentators believed it was a low blow, since Judah was showing signs of agonising pain, but when it was seen from a different camera angle, it was right on the belt, leading to an 18th knockout for Amir Khan in his career so far.[34]Khan vs. Peterson, Garcia
Main article: Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson
Lamont Peterson defeated Khan for the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in Washington DC on 10 December 2011 by split decision.Khan was deducted 2 points in rounds 7 and 12 by the referee Joe Cooper for pushing. Peterson and Khan both boxed well and two judges scored it 113–112 to Peterson, with the other 115–110 to Khan (originally announced as 114–111 to Khan).
His next fight was on 14 July 2012, in Las Vegas, against the undefeated Puerto Rican-American Danny Garcia for the WBC Championship.[35] At the pre-fight press conference on 4 June, Khan and Garcia's fathers got into a heated exchange resulting in both fighters promising to knock the other out on 14 July. Khan also stated his desire to move up to the 147 lbs division if successful against Garcia, for potential bouts with high-profile boxers like Floyd Mayweather and Timothy Bradley, although Bradley has previously rejected a fight with Khan in order for a fight against Manny Pacquiao.[36]
Khan seemed to have control of the fight in the first 2 rounds but his punches had no effect on Garcia who seemed to walk through Khan's offence. Amir utilized speed and boxing skills on Garcia, but to no avail. That all changed in round 3 when Khan was hit with a counter left hook right, which put him to the canvas for the fourth time in his career. He was dropped twice further in round 4, resulting in the referee Kenny Bayless waving the fight off to protect Khan's health.[37]
Shortly after his loss to Danny Garcia, Khan made the announcement that he was going to leave Freddie Roach in search of a new trainer. He officially announced that his new trainer was to be Virgil Hunter, the long-time trainer of Olympic gold medalist and undefeated reigning WBA and WBC super-middleweight champion Andre Ward.
Khan vs. Molina, Diaz
Soon after Khan joined with new trainer Virgil Hunter it was announced that he would make his comeback fight against undefeated Mexican-American, Carlos Molina (17–0, 7 KOs). The fight was aired on Showtime, on 15 December 2012, and took place in the LA Sports Arena in California.[38] Khan defeated Molina by TKO in the tenth round and won the WBC Silver Light Welterweight title.[39]Following his victory over Molina, Khan returned to the UK, for a fight against Julio Díaz on 27 April 2013 in a 143 lbs 'catch-weight' bout. Khan was able to control some of the fight and managed to survive a fourth-round knockdown from Diaz. Khan managed to hold on throughout the fight to go onto win the fight by a very close unanimous decision. The scorecards; Phil Edwards 114–113 – Steve Gray 115–113 – Terry O'Connor 115–112.
Khan vs. Collazo
Khan will fight Luis Collazo on May 3rd, 2014 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, MGM Grand Las Vegas.Khan has expressed that after his fight with Collazo that he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao[40] The winner of that fight would be expected to face Floyd Mayweather, Jr[41] However if Pacquiao decides to fight the winner of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Mike Alvarado fight, Khan will choose a different path to a Mayweather fight. [42] Former trainer of Khan, and current trainer of Pacquiao, Freddie Roach stated that a showdown between the two is very possible for 2014[43]
Professional boxing record
Outside boxing
Personal life
In addition to boxing, he enjoys participation in cricket, basketball, and football where Khan supports his local Bolton Wanderers team and had previously used the club's training facilities.[44] In 2012, he was pictured on his Twitter account with Manchester United players such as Rio Ferdinand, Alex Buttner, Michael Carrick and David De Gea.,[45] despite being pictured in a United shirt, he said: 'Still a true Bolton fan all the way.'On 29 January 2012, Khan got engaged to Pakistani-American student, Faryal Makhdoom, based in Staten Island, NY. A thousand friends and family were in attendance, including boxer Ricky Hatton.[46] The couple finally married on 31 May 2013 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The couple then flew back to Khan's hometown of Bolton where a second celebration, a traditional Walima, took place in Manchester which included 4,000 guests.[47][48] Amir and Faryal are now expecting a baby girl.
Charitable and community work
Khan has past and present involvements in supporting charitable and community causes. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he was among those who raised £1 million for its victims,[49] and in the following year he visited Pakistan to dispense food in a camp set up after the Kashmir earthquake.[50] He has also been involved with a campaign that promotes child safety around British railways[51] one that seeks improvements to the criminal justice system,[52] and another that encourages men to play a role in ending violence against women.[53]Additionally, Khan is involved in various philanthropic initiatives,[54] including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), National Literacy Trust, and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
In December 2013, Khan hosted a fundraising dinner to support Islamic Relief's Philippines Appeal in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, raising £83,400.
Media
- Khan 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.
- Khan was nominated for the 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.[55]
Motoring offences and incidents
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 Geoffrey Hatton, a pedestrian who was using a pelican crossing while Khan was travelling at 47 mph in a 30 mph zone and overtaking in the wrong lane.[56] He was cleared of dangerous driving but charged with the lesser offence of careless driving[57] and the pedestrian received an interim payment of £40,000.[58] Geoffrey Hatton never fully recovered from the incident and died two years afterwards from a gastrointestinal bleed with Khan passing on his sympathies.[59] 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.[60] On 7 January 2008 Khan was fined £1000 and banned for 42 days for the speeding offence.[61]On 12 July 2009, Khan was once again involved in a motoring incident, this time a collision with a young cyclist. However, no action was taken against Khan after police concluded that he was not to blame for the incident in Moor Lane following interviews with a number of witnesses.[62]
Trainers
- Oliver Harrison (July 2005 – April 2008)[63]
- Jorge Rubio (July 2008 – September 2008)[64]
- Freddie Roach (October 2008 – September 2012)[65]
- Virgil Hunter (September 2012 – present)[65]
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