AMIR KHAN, world boxing champion who belongs to a Pakistani Punjabi Rajput family, was born and brought up in Bolton, England. He is a British professional boxer and two-time former world champion, having held the WBA and IBF light welterweight titles. Amir currently holds the WBC Silver welterweight title. 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 ever British world champions, winning the WBA light welterweight title at the age of 22. Khan has also scored notable wins over two-time Olympic gold medalist Mario Kindelán and future world champion Victor Ortiz. Amir, in an interview with MOHAMMAD NAUSHAD KHAN, said he wants to open an academy and promote boxing in India and Pakistan.
First of all please tell me what was the purpose of your visit to India?
I used to come to India quite often and now I am here to attend my friend’s wedding. I got the call from Amjad Khan (boxer) to come to his boxing training centre to boost the morale of the emerging boxer and also to guide them how to become world class boxers. I am here to encourage them to work hard and fight hard. I am quite happy to see that boys are doing good and working hard here.
What is your impression about the quality of boxing in India and what more should be done to improve further?
I think the quality is good, people are good. I know Vijender is doing globally well and India has a boxer like Mary Kom; people know her and admire her. I think boxing is growing gradually in India; it can even further be improved. It is nice for me to be here to see the talent here.
Who was your role model and who inspired you into boxing?
My role model was Mohammad Ali. He is really a great boxer and not only me every boxer can learn from him and get inspired. I would like to be like him one day. Young boxers should learn from him and all great boxers to shape their boxing skills and careers.
As you have said boxing is growing, is there anything that troubles you when you look at boxing in India? If yes, what should be done?
We should leave politics behind and allow boxing and the boxers to do their own without any interference. Boxers should be allowed to play their own natural game and it should not be politicised every now and then. There is great potential and if there is quality training I think India can definitely produce world class boxers. We should encourage them and not try to destroy their lives rather they should be supported and encouraged to play to their full potential. There are people in India who are destroying the future of boxers in India and it should not happen. There should be unity and they should play like one team and national team. More and more boxers should be encouraged to represent their country and win laurels for their country.
What would be your one piece of advice to emerging boxers?
My advice to them is to work hard, get the best available training and stay focused. Boxers should have dream and ambition to do the best. They must have something to achieve in life. They must always look up to the role models. I want to promote more boxing in India and I want to open sports academy in India and wish that my academy in Pakistan play with my academy in India one day. Let’s do it the right way and of course with the sportsmen spirit.
I wish you great future ahead. But have you thought at any point of time as to what next after boxing?
After boxing I would like to promote more gym and boxing. I would like to come to India and Pakistan to promote boxing because they require best coaching and training.