Amir Khan Exclusive

Images by Dominic Holden

Ever since the days of Prince Naseem Hamed there has never been that one athlete, that one boxer with the ability to unite an entire nation with his talent, spirit and drive…until now. With his determination, his passion and his skill the WBA Light-Welter weight champion Amir Khan is that one man that immediately comes into the minds of so many; as one of the greatest sportsmen the nation has ever seen.

At just 23 years of age, this young man from Bolton has single handedly brought together people of all ages and all races with his skills that have increased tenfold since his 2003 Olympic domination.

Having already fought and won against some of the best talents that boxing has to offer; Amir is set to go one step further and make the ever elusive American Dream a reality; the day of reckoning is fast approaching; the day when Khan will prove, not only to the people of the United Kingdom, but the people of the world; that he truly is one of the greatest talents out there.

On May 15 Khan’s incredible journey will take him to the Mecca of boxing, as he comes face to face with former WBA Light Welter-Weight Champion Paulie Malignaggi in New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden, the place that has hosted some of the most respected boxing legends in history including head of Golden Boy Productions and fight organiser Oscar De La Hoya who, so rightfully stated “…you have to go through the garden to really make it in the sport of boxing”

Oscar and Golden Boy have been working alongside Khan Promotions to create what will no doubt be one of the greatest boxing matches in history, “This is a serious fight for both but these are the type of events that HBO and Golden Boy and Paulie and Amir really want to show the boxing world, they want to prove time and time again what real fighters are all about”

This is no doubt the fight that is set to define his career and the pressure is well and truly on for the young sportsman. However his calm presence, his look of patience and his graceful approach clearly remind us all of what a young Mohammad Ali once said “Champions aren’t made in gyms, champions are made from something they have inside them- a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last minute stamina; they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill” Khan definitely has the will and the skill to prove to Malignaggi and the world of boxing that he is the best of the best.

At the UK press conference Team Malignaggi attempted to increase the heat with a war of words with manager Josh Dubin stating; “I commend Amir Khan because when he walks through the tunnel in Madison Square Garden he’s going to feel the heat and it’s a hell of a way to debut in America and then when he’s in that ring with Paulie, I think he’s going to be wondering; what the hell have I got myself into here? He’s fighting a guy whose at his very peak and is hungrier than ever and oh boy is it going to be one hell of a fight”

With Paulie himself arguing “Amir Khan is a good fighter and he may have a good future but come May 15 he’ll get his second loss”

With such open confidence there is a clear contrast between both sides; Team Malignaggi were loud, brash and using a million words a minute; desperate to dispel any views that Paulie may be fearful of the upcoming fight whereas Team Khan maintained their cool and retaliated in a dignified manner so familiar with champions

“I’m confident in this fight; it will be a great fight for the fans. If he (Malignaggi) wants to trash talk he can trash talk, if he wants to make faces he can make faces at the end of the day come May 15 my fists will do the talking”

With his calm approach and his fierce skills Khan is no doubt the favourite in this fight but May 15 will be his day of reckoning, May 15 will be the day that Amir Khan steps into Paulie Malignaggi’s back garden and shows the world just what a true fighter is.

In the words of Oscar De La Hoya “We are witnessing history in the making…because this event will be the fight of the year”