Amir hints at career in mixed martial arts

NEW DELHI: Boxing superstar Amir Khan likes the idea of seeing professional boxers vying for Olympic glory. Only amateurs fight in the Summer Games. Boxing, in recent years, is trying to change its image — head guards have been removed and the idea of having pro boxers at the Olympics has been doing the rounds for some time now.

On Tuesday, the Brit fuelled hopes of the scenario playing out in the near future. “I was with Ching-Kuo Wu, AIBA president, and he said they would like to have professionals in the Olympics. So, I think this may happen in the future,” he said.

In India to promote pro-boxing, Khan was also asked whether he would fight Manny Pacquiao, in what would possibly be the last fight of the Filipino champion. The Brit, however, neither con- firmed nor denied the move.

“It would be an amazing fight, two fighters who know each well. We have trained together, sparred together,” he told reporters after announcing plans to start boxing academies. “I’m on a vacation here and my office arranges the fights for me. If the fight happens, it would be an amazing fight. It would be a big fight.”

Even as Khan makes his move to become a big player in the fledgling pro-boxing market in India and help Indian amateurs make the transition to professional boxing, he also dropped a hint that he might consider mixed martial art (MMA) once he is done with boxing. “It has crossed my mind. Maybe one day, I’m still young, I have youth on my side. You never know, man. I might have a try in SFL (super fight league) one day. Maybe, I would have a go. To have a boxer in the cage in an MMA would be amazing, it would be something different,” he said.