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Boxing Biography

Amir Khan

“Bolton Bomber”

British flag British · Bolton, England · Born 8 December 1986

Light Welterweight

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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.

Famous For

2004 Olympic silver medalist; unified light-welterweight world champion

Playing Style

How They Played

Fast, aggressive southpaw with exceptional hand speed

Legacy

Lasting Impact

One of Britain's most successful professional boxers, inspiring many young British-Pakistani fighters

Honours & Achievements

Career Honours

  • 2004 Olympic silver medal
  • ESPN Prospect of the Year 2007
  • Pride of Performance award (Pakistan)
Career Journey

Timeline

2004 🏆 Olympic silver medal at Athens Olympics
2005 📌 Professional boxing debut
2009 🏆 Won WBA light-welterweight title vs Andreas Kotelnik
2011 📌 Lost unified titles to Lamont Peterson
2012 🏆 Regained WBA light-welterweight title vs Peterson
2014 📌 Lost to Devon Alexander
2016 📌 Lost to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez
2022 📌 Announced retirement from professional boxing
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

3 common questions about Amir Khan

Amir Khan fought as a Light Welterweight.

Amir Khan's career honours include Olympic Silver Medal (Lightweight) Athens 2004, Commonwealth Games Gold Medal (Light Welterweight) Melbourne 2006, WBA Light Welterweight Champion 2009.

Amir Khan has a professional boxing record of 45-5.