Former 140-pound world champ Amir Khan, last seen being brutally KO’d in a brave challenge of then middleweight champ Saul Canelo Alvarez, could be on the verge of a most astonishing comeback – at the Olympic games this year. Khan, unlike fellow big name fighters such as Mike Tyson, George Foreman and David Haye, has expressed positive words about the recent decision to allow pro boxers to compete at the Olympics.
There will be, in July in Venezuela, qualifiers for 26 places at the upcoming Games. Khan, in speaking at a press conference today in Karachi, said he would be honoured to participate and represent Pakistan.
“It’s a decision which I welcome,” Khan said of the new ruling allowing pro boxers to participate in the Olympics. “It will help boxers and if I am permitted as per rules and from my promoter then I would love to compete for Pakistan. I will be very happy if I can compete in the Olympics. I want to serve Pakistan.”
Khan’s father is from Pakistan, and Amir was born in the UK in 1986. What bigger honour is there than winning gold for your country? Khan, when a fresh faced 17-year-old, virtual unknown, did incredibly well at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, when he won a silver medal. Now, as an experienced pro who has faced all manner of boxing styles, Khan may well return to fighting in a vest in an attempt at winning a gold.
Khan will obviously have to readapt to the Olympic limit of just three, three-minute rounds, but with his super-fast hands – arguably no slower than they were in 2004 – Khan might have a great chance of taking home a gold. Khan must first qualify in Venezuela of course. How this move would affect Khan’s pro career and his desires there is unknown, but Khan, in his first fight in Rio 2016, would surely attract millions of viewers all around the world.
It is unclear at present which weight class Khan, who last fought as a 155-pounder, would box at in Rio.