Amir Khan wants a Dubai fight before hanging up gloves
British-Pakistani boxing legend, Amir Khan, has announced his desire to become a boxing promoter when he hangs up his gloves, which he admits could be in the next 12 months.
The 33-year-old concedes he may have only “one or two fights” left in his illustrious career, which he hopes will include a much-heralded showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Dubai.
In contemplative mood during the coronavirus lockdown in the United Kingdom, Khan told Khaleej Times he is “looking forward” to retirement but “keeping my options open” about his future.
And, while that remains uncertain largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the two-time world champion has no doubt about his long-term plans.
“I’d love to go into the promotional business and promote and advise fighters who have a future and push them to the top,” the former unified light-welterweight world champion said in a telephone interview from his home in Bolton, England.
Of the rich experience he could pass on, which includes winning an Olympic silver medal aged only 17 in 2004, he added: “One of the ways I’ve done it is probably one of the best ways; from Olympic level, to domestic level to world level and I’ve fought in world championships and literally everywhere all over the world (in places) such as Madison Square Garden and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.”
“How many fights do I have left?” Khan added. “I can count only on one hand. One, two fights probably.
“I think I’m going to retire in the next 12 months probably, but let’s see.
“I’ll keep my options open. In boxing, there are always new doors opening and new things happening.
“Someone might tempt me to stay in the game. I’m only 33 and when you think about it, Manny Pacquiao is 41, so I think age is just a number.
“It’s how you look after your body (that counts).”
On the prospect of a glorious swansong in the UAE against the only eightdivision world champion in boxing history, Pacquiao, Khan said: “I don’t know how likely it is, but I’d still love to fight in Dubai one day before my career finishes. I’ve been going there for a very long time on vacation, so that’s something I’d love to do.
“With Pacquiao being such a big name in boxing, I’d love that fight as I want to fight the best out there. Manny,
in my opinion, is the biggest name in boxing.”
Khan (34-5, 21 KOs) has been out of the ring since last July, when he easily stopped late replacement Billy Dib in Jeddah.
Pacquiao (62-2-7, 39KOs) also last fought in July, securing the WBA welterweight title following a brilliant win over Keith Thurman in Las Vegas.
Many British boxing devotees are desperate for Khan to fight his compatriot and nemesis, Kell Brook.
However, Khan says when the pair were negotiating a long-awaited duel with their joint promoter, Eddie Hearn, Brook suddenly announced “out of the blue” he wanted to fight at 154lbs [light middleweight].
“He knows I’d never again go above my weight and fight as the 147-pound [welterweight] division is the ideal weight for me,” Khan said. “People think it’s me that’s avoiding the fight but I think it’s Kell that doesn’t really want the fight because why out of the blue does he go up to 154?
“With Brook, it’s a big British fight but I think I’m at a level where globally I’m a big name and I think Manny Pacquiao for me is biggest out there.
“Beating a legend like him would be unbelievable.”
Many boxers struggle with life after boxing, but Khan insists he will cope perfectly.“I probably look forward to it more as when I retire, then I can do whatever I want. Boxing comes first at the moment and there are so many things I would love to do such as travel and do charity work but I can’t.”
If he were to call it a day now, he insists he would have no regrets about what he has achieved.
“I’d be very thankful to God that I’ve had an amazing career. What boxing has done for me and my life is honestly the best thing in the world.
“I’ve done everything I wanted to.”