Khan chases Malignaggi bout

Briton determined to make big splash on US debut

Amir Khan has revealed he is looking to make his debut in America by taking on Paulie Malignaggi at New York's Madison Square Garden on May 15.

There has been continued speculation over Khan's next opponent following his switch to join Golden Boy promotions last month.

It was thought the WBA light-welterweight champion would take on mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana, with Juan Manuel Marquez another name mentioned.

However, having already made one mandatory defence with his first-round demolition of Dmitriy Salita in December, Khan is looking to take on a bigger name than Maidana in his first appearance Stateside.

It is understood his representatives approached Marquez, but with the Mexican rumoured to have turned down the chance to fight the young Briton on Wednesday, Khan has now set his sights on Malignaggi.

"May 15 is the date that I have, the fight will be in America, and opponent - we are looking at Malignaggi," Khan confirmed.

"We were looking at Marquez, who pulled out, so it's Malignaggi up to now and we want to hear what he thinks about the fight.

"Golden Boy have put the fight to his promoter Lou DiBella, so we will see where we go from here.

"I want to fight him in his home town (New York) and beat him in his home town in front of his own people.

"The fight has not been made 100% yet but I think there is a very good chance of it happening.

"When it does happen, I'm just going to go in there and do what I normally do and I really think Malignaggi has a style which is going to make me look good.

"He's not at my level. He has a few good wins in America, but it's another fight for me and I'll go there and do what I have to do."

I want to inspire young Asians, says Amir

London: BOXER Amir Khan hopes he can inspire more young Asians to be the best in sport.

The World Champion is ambassador for the British Asian Sports Awards, set up to recognise and honour British Asian sporting talent.

The awards were held in London on Saturday and winners included Formula One racer Adam Khan, Yorkshire and England cricketer Adil Rashid, Queens Park Rangers Vice-Chairman Amit Bhatia and England women’s cricketer Isa Guha.

Expert judges included former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash and Olympic Gold medallist, Denise Lewis.

Speaking at the event Amir said: “Role models drive young talent to excel in their sport so I feel that this awards show is important in recognising the role models of the future. Being an ambassador is a great honour for me because I’m able to give something back to the community and inspire more Asians to be the best in their sport.”

Pakistan stands 3rd in SAG boxing event

Niamat gets gold for Pakistan in SAG Boxing

KARACHI: Pakistan won one gold and a silver medal Monday to claim third position in the ongoing 11th South Asian Federation Games 2010.
Quetta-born Niamat Ullah won gold medal in 54kg Bantamweight category when he out-punched Bhutani boxer Sigyel by the score of 14-8.

However, skipper of Pakistani boxing contingent, Mohammad Waseem beaten by Indian captain and current Asian Champion Suranjoy Singh by 4-11 points.
Pakistan claimed a total of four medals; one gold and silver medal each with two bronze medals; while two Pakistani boxers adnan hussain (60kg) and Abid Ali (57kg) failed in quarter final and never won any medal.

President of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Lt Gen (Retd) Arif Hassan was present at Mohammad Ali Boxing Stadium Dhaka to watch Pakistani boxers in action.
On the medals table, Pakistan stood third with four golds, while India claimed the first spot with three gold medals and Bangladesh finished there campaign on second position with two gold medals, one silver and two bronze.

Two other boxers Nadir Baloch (48kg) and Amir Khan were defeated in the semi-final stage and both had to content with bronze medal.
Pakistan Boxing team will cam back at Karachi airport today (Tuesday) at 5-15pm along with some other contingent teams.

World Champion Amir Khan Advices Pak Boxers

KARACHI: A piece of advice by Pakistan-origin Light-Welter Weight World Champion British boxer, Amir Khan has arrived for the Pakistani boxers just at the right time as they prepare to fight in the South Asian Federation Games 2010.
Amir Khan called up the young pugilists Saturday and gave them some useful tips during their training camp at Karachi.

Pakistan Boxing team training camp is going on at Pakistan Sports Board Karachi Center for preparation of SAF Games and other upcoming international events.
PBF spokesmen told Xinhua that after the training, Vice President of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) and Camp commandment Iqbal Hussain had a chat with Amir Khan during which the World Champion boxer asked about the team’s preparation.

On request of Iqbal Hussain, Amir Khan guided Pakistani boxers including Captain Mohammad Waseem, Nadir Baloch, Abid Ali, Niamat Ullah and Amir Khan. Sixth member of the team Adnan Hussain was not present.

Amir Khan gave the boxers tips regarding bout tactics and advised them as per to score points without losing much of the energy.

“I saw much talent in Pakistan for boxing during Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT). They are hard workers and can win many medals in South Asian Games”, said Amir Khan, the PBF spokesman told Xinhua.
It should be noted that Amir Khan was the chief guest in closing ceremony of the SBBIBT earlier this month in Karachi on especial invitation of PBF.

23 countries from Europe, Asia and Africa participated in the competition, while China took the winners trophy of that mega event with 4 gold medals to their name.

Can Amir Khan become a huge PPV star like Mayweather and Pacquiao?

Trainer Freddie Roach and Golden Boy Promotion are hoping to make a huge star out of WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) in the future along the lines of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is it possible for Khan to accomplish this task in the near or distant future? Pacquiao toiled away for 14 years in the pro ranks before he recently became a huge mega star in the past year after beating Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in three consecutive fights.

And Mayweather Jr. fought for 11 years as a pro before he finally became a huge mega star with a win over De La Hoya in 2007. Khan has fought for only five years in the pro ranks and was drilled into the canvas by Breidis Prescott in one round in 2008. Khan has picked up the World Boxing Association light welterweight title with a 12 round decision win over Andriy Kotelnik in July 2009, but looked fragile in the process, moving continuously against a non puncher.

For Khan to become a mega star, he will have to beat some of the best fighters in boxing. That’s how it’s done. This is obviously why Roach is so eager to match Khan against Ricky Hatton, who some boxing fans feel is a totally shot fighter. It would give Khan a boost up in the minds of fans and make a name for him, even if it’s against a fighter that some people see as shot. However, Khan will need more than fights against Hatton, which may not ever happen, and Paulie Malignaggi. Khan needs to take on and beat the best fighters in the division like Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander, Kendall Holt and Marcos Maidana.

A lot of fans see Khan as a fighter that has faced hand-picked opponents during his five year pro career, carefully matched to avoid dangerous punchers. It’s hard to argue against that belief in looking at who Khan as faced in the past two years since being destroyed by Prescott in 2008. Since that time, Khan has fought Oisin Fagan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Kotelnik and Dmitriy Salita.

The fight against Barrera would have been good if Barrera wasn’t an old 35, and still relevant. Barrera had looked poor in moving up in weight form super featherweight to lightweight and looked small and slow at lightweight. However, a win is a win, but the fight was hardly an impressive one because Barrera was cut early in the 2nd round because of a head butt.

With blood streaming into his eyes, Barrera was barely able to see. Somehow the fight was allowed to continue just long enough for it to go to the cards in the 5th round and Khan subsequently won by a 5th round technical decision. The decision to move up in weight to fight Kotelnik, who some saw as a paper champion, didn’t help Khan’s case.

If Khans wants to be a PPV star in the United States, he’s going to have to take the tougher fights and not be positioned against fading stars or weak punchers. There are rumors that Khan might not fight interim WBA light welterweight champion Marcos Maidana next and will instead fight Paulie Malignaggi. I think this would be a mistake.

I don’t see a fight against Malignaggi doing anything for Khan. I do think it will cause knowledgeable boxing fans to see Khan as a cherry picker because they think he’s trying to avoid big punchers since his knockout loss to Prescott. By choosing to fight Malignaggi rather than Maidana, this could strengthen the belief that some boxing fans have about Khan being a ducker.

I don’t see Khan becoming a mega star the easy way by taking on fading fighters or ones with zero power to hurt him. Khan is going to have to beat the best fighters in the division and do this for a number of years before he becomes a huge pay per view star in the United States. I have my doubts that Khan can accomplish this with his weak chin. His offense is fine, but he seems top fragile to hold up under the wear and tear of facing the likes of Maidana, Victor Ortiz, Bradley, Holt and Alexander.

AIBA praised to PBF holding first big event in boxing world this year

Karachi: International Boxing Association (AIBA) had too much praise to Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) for holding Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament successfully it was a first big international event in boxing world this year.
President of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto, Vice president Mr. Iqbal Hussain, General Secretary Muhammad Akram Khan and other PBF officials grateful to AIBA president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu for these kind comments, they were expressed we hold this historical event with the help of AIBA and ASBC kind support and we have good hope such type cooperation from two parents bodies for the Boxing game improvement and betterment.
AIBA comments
“It was a great moment for international relations when Indian boxers took part in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Tournament in Karachi, Pakistan earlier this month, showing once again that boxing is not just for entertainment: it also brings people and countries together”

In a delightful contradiction, the Pakistani tournament showed that boxing as a combat sport can make a positive difference. For the first time since the Mumbai terrorist attacks in India in November 2008, an Indian sports team took part in an international event in Pakistan. "We have been cleared by the government to take part in the event," head coach Singh said, "and all the members of the squad are very happy to be here."

Other countries have had similar successes with boxing: For example, the relationship between Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina is good during boxing events despite the legacy of conflict. These countries have organized many tournaments and, in the ring, many of the former enemies have become friends and sporting opponents.

AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu said after inspiring Pakistan Indian gathering we going to the AIBA Youth World Championships coming up in Baku, Azerbaijan in April, the Armenian Boxing Federation sent an official letter addressed to AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu to ensure the safety of the Armenian athletes during the championships due to unresolved territorial issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan over an enclave called Nagorno-Karabakh in Southwestern Azerbaijan.

"If they want to take part in the event, then I do not see any problems," said Mr Agajan Abiyev, vice-president of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation. "This tournament will be the qualifying event for the Youth Olympic Games, so the desire of the Armenian side is clear to us."

Only boxing could accomplish such a treaty for sports between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Even when the International Football Association (FIFA) drew these two countries in the same qualification group, they could not organize the matches and both of them were cancelled. Despite the political situations of today, we hope that boxing and other sports will continue to bring athletes and fans together.

Host nation Pakistan competed with two teams in the event, which saw a total of 20 teams competing from China, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Syria, India, Hungary, Kenya, Iraq and Cameroon. Rising British-Pakistani star Amir Khan and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games bronze medalist Syed Hussain Shah were awarded honorary gold medals on behalf of the Pakistan Boxing Federation.

AIBA president expressed the tournament was the first-ever boxing event in Pakistan to offer prize money to boxers and teams and it’s highly appreciated for newly elected PBF body

Outside the ring, nine boxers, including Beijing Olympian welterweight boxer Joseph Mulema of Cameroon and eight other Cameroon and African boxers, embraced Islam, converting to the religion while in Karachi for the tournament.

Note: You can read AIBA comments also on its website and click below two links

http://www.aiba.org/en-US/news/ozqsp/newsId/2853/news.aspx
http://www.aiba.org/en-US/news/ozqsp/newsId/2841/news.aspx

British Pakistani Boxer Amir Khan signs with Golden Boy Promotions

GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS ENTERS INTO ALLIANCE WITH
KHAN PROMOTIONS TO PROMOTE WORLD CHAMPION AMIR KHAN

THE BRITISH STAR LOOKS TO SHINE IN THE UNITED STATES
WITH GOLDEN BOY IN 2010

In continuing with its goal to expand boxing on a global level, Golden Boy Promotions is extremely pleased to announce that a strategic alliance with Khan Promotions has been entered into to promote one of boxing’s hottest young World Champions, British superstar Amir Khan.

Khan Promotions has teamed with Golden Boy to promote Khan with the goal of expanding his presence globally, particularly in the United States, and looks to continue his reign as World Champion in the biggest and best fights.

“I am really happy Khan Promotions is partnering with Golden Boy as I know that together they will be the right team to help me continue my career as an elite fighter and to expand my fan base to the United States and around the world,” said Amir Khan. “I’m ready to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime and know that Golden Boy will help me accomplish these goals.”

“Amir Khan is one of the most talented fighters in the world at any weight,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “That talent, combined with his charismatic and out-going personality, makes him a promoter’s dream and I feel will one day lead him to being the face of boxing. We are extremely excited to team with Khan Promotions and look forward to introducing Amir to fight fans in the United States and around the world.”

“Working along side Khan Promotions, we are going to do everything in our power to get the biggest and best fights for Amir,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Amir is already a star in the United Kingdom and now, we are going to help him shine in the United States and across the world.”

Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) who hails from Bolton, Lancashire, United Kingdom is one of the brightest stars ever to emerge from the United Kingdom. He had an extremely accomplished amateur career highlighted by a trip to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (as the sole member of the British boxing team) and brought home the Silver Medal at just 17 years of age. In five short years as a professional, Khan has proven himself to be more than just a charming Brit, his smile comes backed with lightning fast speed and a devastating punch. His notable victories include a first round knockout win over Graham Earl in 2007, a unanimous decision victory against Gary St. Clair in February of 2008 and a fifth round technical knockout of Michael Gomez in June of 2008. In March of 2009, he took a huge step up in competition and scored the biggest win of his career in defeating former World Champion and future Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera by technical decision in dominant fashion. His climb to the top continued on July 18, 2009 when he won his first world title by defeating Andreas Kotelnik via a lopsided unanimous decision for the WBA Super Lightweight World title. Just five months later on December 5, he made his first title defense by handing then-undefeated Dmitriy Salita, his first loss via a crushing first round knockout.

An opponent, date and location for Khan’s next fight will be announced shortly.

Benazir Bhutto boxing final photos from Dawn.com

Karachi: Images from the finals of the Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament held at the KPT Sports Complex, Karachi. -Photos by White Star/Tahir Jamal

Mohammad Waseem A member of the Pakistani boxing squad poses with British boxing champ Amir Khan. Khan was invited as a special guest for the finals of the event.

and other some pictures of final day

M.Waseem will lead seven member Pakistan Boxing team in South Asian Games

Karachi: Pakistan will send seven boxers for competing in South Asian Games commencing from 29th January at Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has announced on Thursday Flyweight Mohammad Waseem (51kg), Bantam weight Niamat Ullah (54kg), Abid Ali (57kg), Light Welter Weight Amir Khan (64kg), Middle Weight Nisar Khan (75kg), Heavy Weight Yasir Javed (91kg) and Supper Heavy Weight Mir Waiz Khan (91+kg) will be seen in action during SAF games.

Flyweight Mohammad Waseem and Heavy Weight Yasir Javed won the Bronze Medals in recently concluded Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament and Waseem also was the only last year winner he won two bronze medals in Thailand and Turkey and he also show good performance in AIBA world Boxing championship was played last year in Italy, he Pakistan’s Medal hope boxer in South Asian Games.

Fransisco Hernandiz Roldan will be chief coach and Abdul Majeed Barohi his assistant with accompany of Mr. Iqbal Hussain he as a team manager (he also Vice President of Pakistan Boxing Federation) and Syed Ashraf Ali will be act during games as a referee/judges.

Secretary PBF Mohammad Akram Khan expressed we collect the team with consultant of Cuban and other National coaches they were need Pakistan compete in heavy weight.

Cuban Coach Fransisco Hernandiz Roldan said we are satisfied this team and we hope all boys will doing very well and we hopeful our boys competent for this job.

Pakistan Boxing team may will leave to Bangladesh on January 26.

The Team: Captain Mohammad Waseem (51kg) , Niamat Ullah (54kg), Abid Ali (57kg), Amir Khan (64kg), Nisar Khan (75kg), Yasir Javed (91kg) and Mir Waiz Khan (91+kg)

Fransisco Hernandiz Roldan (Chief Coach), Abdul Majeed Brohi (Assistant Coach), Iqbal Hussain (Team Manager) and Syed Ashraf Ali (Referee judge)

The boxer from Bolton

By Altamish Jiwa

Karachi: At the age of 23, when most young men are finishing up their studies and thinking about what to do with their lives, Amir Khan has already made a name for himself in the world of boxing.

This WBA world light-welter weight champion started boxing at the age of eight, when his father took him to a local boxing club near their home in Bolton, UK. “Amir was a very hyper active child, to burn off his extra energy and to calm him down I enrolled him in a boxing club, never thinking that one day he would become a champion,” says Amir's proud father, Shujaat Khan.

The initiative taken by Amir's father was also supported by his mother: “I was very happy when my husband took him to the gym because then he would be tired when he came back and would not get up to mischief and just go straight to sleep,” says Falak Khan.

Meanwhile, the young boy himself had never been happier. “Boxing really calmed me down and gave me positive energy. I still remember the sound of the punching bag and the sweat at the gym. I loved it and it made me go to the gym again and again,” says Amir in an exclusive interview with Dawn.

A natural athlete, Amir was passionate about several sports in addition to boxing while growing up. He enjoyed football, rugby and long-distance running. In fact, Amir was at one point the 1,500 metres champion of greater Manchester. But on one fateful night, he chose to become a boxer. “On the night of my running competition, I had a boxing match,” recalls Amir. “I had to pick one and I picked boxing; this is my sport and I have given everything to it.” And that’s when the running stopped and the sparring started.

Amir's hard work and dedication to the sport was soon to pay dividends. In 2003, he became the European student champion and went on to win gold medals in almost all the competitions on both sides of the Atlantic. These wins qualified him for the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he won a silver medal after loosing out to an opponent older and more experienced than him.

After winning the silver medal, Amir had become a household name in Britain, but he wanted more. The very next year, he turned pro and bid farewell to his amateur career in which he had won 100 matches and lost just two. As a pro, Amir fought in the lightweight category and soon went up a category to fight in the light- welterweight category, a decision which he reversed after he lost to French boxer Rachid Drilzane.

Amir fought his way back in 2006 and went on to win back-to-back matches all the way up to 2008. Then, once again, his career hit turbulence when he split with his coach Oliver Harison and soon after lost to Bredis Prescott under Jorge Rubio's guardianship. Amir's promoter Frank Warren was not happy with how things were turning out for his boxer, and Rubio was soon sacked. This time, however, Team Khan roped in one of the best coaches in the business, Freddie Roach. “Getting Freddie Roach was the best move,” admits Amir. “My style has changed and now I have a world title. Freddie has changed my life.”

With Freddie at the ring side, Amir went on to beat Andreas Kotlenick to win the WBA world light-welterweight championship belt. Subsequently, he defended his title, crushing Dmitry Salita in just 76 seconds. The stunning title defence against the American silenced critics and brought much admiration for the boxer.

Now with a world title tied around his waist, Amir knows he is a hot commodity. “I am an exciting fighter, that’s what I bring to the crowds. Wherever I fight I have sell-out arenas. Hundreds of thousands of people are buying my fights on TV and I get more love than any other fighter in Britain.”

Although he is cognisant of his fame and appeal, Amir manages not to seem vain in person. Signing autographs, posing for photographs, referring to his fans as ‘bro,’ Amir also makes every effort to mention how much he has learnt from senior boxers and how grateful he is for his trainers, coaches, fans, followers and, most importantly, his parents along with uncle ‘Taz’.

Despite achieving so much so early in life Amir stays true to his roots. Living with his family in their home in Bolton, Amir looks forward to returning to his mother’s cooking after a long day of training. Even in the matter of matrimony, Amir says he will stick to tradition and never defy the will of his parents.

Amir’s father Shujaat explains that, “we, as parents, have tried our best to keep our son close to us, our religion and our culture. I remember as kid Amir would go to school, then go for a run, take a shower, and then go to the mosque from where I would pick him and take him to the gym. This was his daily routine.”

Given his familial ties to the country, Amir is planning on fighting in Pakistan and working towards the development of boxing here. “My dream is to fight in Pakistan one day,” he confesses.

Until then, Amir plans to work hard and continue excelling in the ring. “I have had lots of ups and downs, but I have always been a fighter and I am strong willed,” he says. “It’s the extreme hard work I have put in this sport and that’s helped me reach so far.” With the support of his parents, the dedicated members of Team Khan, and millions of fans across the globe, especially in Britain and Pakistan, this young lad from Bolton is surely destined for world boxing domination.

I am Pakistan's world champion, say Boxer Amir Khan

KARACHI: British boxing prodigy of Pakistani descent Amir Khan says as he considers himself a world champion from Pakistan and that his visit should also serve as an assurance that the country is safe for holding sporting activities.
The 23-year-old believes the world community should stop portraying Pakistan negatively because of some incidents of violence. He feels that although there has been some violence in the country, things should not be blown out of proportion.
‘Pakistan is a beautiful country. It is a great sporting nation. The world must support it by coming here for sporting activities. If Pakistan is isolated then the talent here will not be groomed,’ Khan told a press conference on Thursday.
Khan, also known as 'King Khan' for his sensational feat at the 2004 Athens Olympics where he grabbed the silver at the age of 17 after losing to Cuban hero Mario Kindelan in the final, said he will also try to convince English cricketers to visit Pakistan.
Pakistan has seen a slump in international sporting activities since the attacks on the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore. Cricket being a high-profile sport was hit badly when International Cricket Council shifted the Champions Trophy to South Africa last years after several countries including England refused to play in Pakistan because of security concerns, while hockey is also suffering owing to violence in the country.
Khan, who turned professional after the Athens Games and became a sensation in the UK and his country of origin Pakistan after winning the WBA light-welterweight title last year, defeating Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik, is on a visit to Pakistan on an invitation of Pakistan Boxing Federation.
The world champion will watch the Benazir Bhutto international boxing tournament finals on Friday, the first international sports tournament after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers.
Raja Iqbal Amir Khan, commonly known as Amir Khan, also a cousin of England cricketer Sajid Mahmood, says he is proud of his Pakistani roots and even considers himself a Pakistani world champion.
‘When I was in London to support the Pakistani cricket team at Twenty20 World Cup final, there were two champions from Pakistan – the Pakistan cricket team and the second one was me,’ said Khan who says he never faced any discrimination or racism in England because of his Pakistani descent.
‘I have never faced any problem, discrimination or racism. People in UK love me and see me as a fellow Briton just like the way Pakistanis see me as their countryman,’ said Khan who is also known as the ‘Golden Boy of UK’ since he became the youngest British boxing Olympic medallist.
Khan promised he will at least fight once in Pakistan in his career but it will not be before 2011 or 2012 because of his professional commitments.
‘I want to promote boxing in Pakistan and I will definitely have at least one fight here in my career but that cannot be expected before 2011 or 2012. But one fight in Pakistan is something I will surely like to happen,’ said Khan in an exclusive interview with Dawn.com.
The Briton, whose boxing idol is legendry former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, said although professional boxing was exciting, he missed the amateur version of the game as he cannot participate in Olympics being a professional.
‘I must say amateur boxers should come into professional boxing only after some experience, not before that,’ said Khan.
Khan’s Dec 5 fight last year against Dmitriy Salita of the United States was seen in the Western media with much interest as he was a British Muslim while the American was Jewish. The Briton, however, says he never saw the fight as a clash between civilisations or religions.
‘It was all made up in the media. He (Salita) belongs to another religion but I took it professionally rather than making it a religious issue,’ said the world champion who successfully defended his title by thrashing mandatory challenger Salita in just 76 seconds in Newcastle, England, to break the unbeaten record of the American.
Having an impressive record of 22 victories and a loss against Colombian Breidis Prescott, Khan he said would love to have Pakistani boxers train with him at his Bolton academy, adding that he expected enormous improvement in Pakistani boxing within a year.
‘With a younger president of Pakistan Boxing Federation and promotion of the game, I can see huge changes and vast improvement in Pakistani boxing. Boxing is a sport for the brave. You need a brave heart for boxing. Boxing is not poor man’s game in the UK. It is a rich sport. So my advice for Pakistani boxers is to work harder and aim high, and I am sure they will achieve success’ said Khan.
Khan, however, did not agree that Britain can ever become the next Cuba in amateur boxing, saying it was not likely to happen as most of the British boxers turned professional.
‘No, I don’t think Britain can be what Cubans are in the amateur boxing because the British boxers usually turn professional, while Cubans don’t as they have restriction on joining professional ranks,’ said Khan attired in a white coat, jeans and boxing-style white leather shoes.
Khan’s father Shajaad Khan said his son’s achievements came because of his hard work and his parents’ support.
‘We (Khan’s parents) are behind him. If he wants to box, we will never stop him. Whenever he says it’s over, we will never force him to box. But since he is into boxing, he has our support,’ says Shajaad Khan.
‘Amir has always been a down-to-earth kid. He replies each and everyone’s e-mails. Once he sent an e-mail to British champion Prince Naseem Hamed when he was just 11. Naseem never replied. When Amir had a chance to meet Naseem, he asked why he never replied to his e-mail. Now he (Amir) still remembers this and never forgets to reply to e-mails from his fans,’ Khan’s uncle Tahir Mahmood told Dawn.com.
Khan will leave Karachi on Saturday for his ancestral town Rawalpindi where he will spend some time before leaving for UK.

Pakistan is a Safe Sports Place, Boxer Amir Khan

KARACHI -World boxing champion Amir Khan on Thursday promised to help bring international sports back to Pakistan, saying he would try to convince English cricketers to tour the insurgency-hit nation.

"I am pleased to be back in the country of my forefathers and when people see me touring Pakistan it will put in their minds that it's a safe place to play," Khan, a Briton of Pakistani descent, told a press conference.

Khan, who became World Boxing Association (WBA) light-welterweight champion last year, is in Karachi as a guest for the 20-nation Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship, named after the slain former prime minister.

The tournament is the first major international sporting event in Pakistan since a militant attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009 left eight people dead and injured seven players and a coach.

Even before the attacks, foreign teams had refused to play in major cricket, hockey and football events in the country, where security has deteriorated since the Pakistan became a partner in the US-led "war on terror" in 2001.

Khan, 23, said he would try to convince England cricketers to tour Pakistan, starting with his cousin, England player Sajid Mahmood.

"I know a lot of English players like Andrew Flintoff and (current captain) Andrew Strauss, who I can tell that playing in Pakistan is safe," he said.

"The world must support Pakistan as it's a great sporting nation and it should not be left alone because if the world leaves them alone then the talent in Pakistan could not be harnessed."

England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy last year citing security fears, forcing the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move it to South Africa.

The ICC also stripped Pakistan of its World Cup 2011 matches after the attack on the Sri Lankan team.

"What happened in the past was deplorable, but at times the situation is blown out of proportion, which is disappointing," Khan said.

Khan, whose parents hail from a small village near Rawalpindi, rose to prominence when he won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of 17 -- the youngest British boxing medallist.

Popularly known by his nickname "King Khan", the boxer turned professional in 2005 after a win-loss record of 100-2 in amateur bouts.

"Pakistani cricketers are world class and I am amazed to see the boxing talent as four Pakistani boxers are in the final of the Benazir Bhutto tournament, which proves there is a great future for the sport," Khan said.

"I am there as inspiration and can help Pakistani boxers train whenever they want to come to my academy in Bolton. I am ready to train them and win world titles," said Khan, who also promised to fight a professional bout in Pakistan.


--AFP

World boxing champion, Amir Khan to arrive in Pakistan Wednesday

ISLAMABAD, Jan 5 (APP): World Light-welterweight boxing champion (WBA) Amir Khan will arrive at Karachi on Wednesday to participate in the concluding ceremony of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed boxing tournament.The tournament is being held at the KPT Benazir Sports Complex,where boxers of 16 countries are participating.

Amir Khan, a British boxer of Pakistani origin, became the WBA World light-welterweight champion after defeating Andreas Kotelnik on 18 July 2009 at the age of 22, making him Britain’s third-youngest world champion after Naseem Hamed and Herbie Hide.
He was previously in the lightweight division, where he held the Commonwealth, WBO Inter-Continental and WBA International titles. He was also the youngest British Olympic boxing medalist,when he won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of 17. Khan is a British Pakistani descended from the Janjua Rajput clan His grandparents are originally from Rawalpindi. They decided to emigrate to England in 1950s.
He will stay in Pakistan along with his parents from January 6 to 11.

World Champion Boxer Amir Khan to visit Pakistan next month

26/12/2009

KARACHI: The British-born Pakistani boxing sensation Amir Khan, who rose to fame after being crowned WBA world light-welterweight champion on July 18 this year, will be visiting Pakistan with his parents from Jan 7 to 10.

Though the itinerary of his maiden visit to Pakistan is being chalked out, Amir will show his world-title belt to the people particularly, the youth, to inspire them towards the sport. He will also share his success with people of the country.

The proposed visit has been arranged by Pakistan Boxing Federation particularly for the upcoming an international Boxing event named in memory of late former Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament Which will be held from 1st to 9 January at Benazir Sports complex Karachi Pakistan.

Up to 20 countries will taking part in said mega event one of the best and historical event at Pakistani soil.

World Champion British born Pakistani Boxer Amir Khan will be the chief guest. Said in a statement Spokesmen of Pakistan Boxing Federation.

Born in Bolton on Dec 8, 1986, the 5’10” pugilist defeated Andrean Kotelnik at the age of 22 to land WBA world light-welterweight title.

Previously, Amir was in the lightweight division where he held the Commonwealth and WBA international titles. He was also the youngest British Olympic boxing medallist when he won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Amir, who began boxing competitively at the tender age of 11, turned pro in 2005.