Amir Khan is a British former professional boxer known for his hand speed who won Olympic silver in 2004 and unified WBA/IBF light-welterweight titles.
Amir Iqbal Khan was born on 8 December 1986 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, to a Pakistani family, and began boxing at 11, quickly winning virtually every junior national championship available to him, including three English schoolboy titles and gold at the Junior Olympics. Khan compiled an outstanding amateur record of 101 wins against nine losses, and in 2004, at just 17, became Britain's youngest Olympic boxing medallist in three decades, winning silver in the lightweight division at the Athens Games after losing a close final to Cuba's Mario Kindelan. Khan turned professional in 2005 under trainer Freddie Roach, and became one of the youngest British world champions in boxing history, winning the WBA light welterweight title in 2009 and unifying it with the IBF belt in 2011, developing a reputation as one of the fastest-handed fighters in the sport. Khan's career included high-profile fights against Saúl Álvarez and a rivalry with domestic contemporary Kell Brook, whom he finally faced and defeated in 2019. He retired in 2022 with a professional record of 34 wins and six losses, and has since focused on charitable work through the Amir Khan Foundation, delivering humanitarian aid to Pakistan, Gaza, and across Africa.
2004 Olympic silver medalist; unified light-welterweight world champion
How They Played
Fast, aggressive southpaw with exceptional hand speed
Lasting Impact
One of Britain's most successful professional boxers, inspiring many young British-Pakistani fighters
Career Honours
- 2004 Olympic silver medal
- ESPN Prospect of the Year 2007
- Pride of Performance award (Pakistan)