In August 2004, Amir Khan became Great Britain's youngest Olympic boxing medallist.
The 17-year-old British boxer born of Pakistani parents began boxing when he was 8 in Bolton, Northern England. At 11, he was already famous as a boxing prodigy.
In the summer of 2004, Khan was named the sole member of the British boxing team. Soon after, he advanced to the gold medal bout in Athens.
He grabbed a silver and was the subject of a national debate. Next year, he turned professional.
The rest, as they say, is history.
‘I am a big fan of Mary Kom’
Speaking to journalists from around the world in a teleconference, the WBA and IBF light-welterweight world champion admitted his love for Pakistan because of his roots, and admiration of Indians because of their determination.
He said, “When I participated in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Pakistan had two boxers and India had none. But if you see now, there are so many world-class boxers.”
“There is Vijender Singh, there is Mary Kom,” he quickly added.
Amir is a big fan of Mary Kom, who settled for a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. He says, “People in India look up to Mary Kom. She is certainly a role model for all the upcoming boxers of the country.”
Not long ago, three Pakistan women boxers created history after participating for the first time in an international event. Khoushleem Bano, Rukhsana Parveen, and Sofia Javed stepped into the ring at the South Asian Games. Soon after, all of them admitted that Mary Kom is their inspiration.
The small-town girl from Manipur then invited them to her boxing academy to train. “She is a fantastic person at heart. I have heard a lot about her,” said the Briton.
‘I would love to fight against Vijender Singh’
Amir is impressed with Vijender Singh, who is a professional pugilist now. “Vijender's transition from an Olympic medalist to turning professional is quite amazing. His future is very bright.”
It will be a very interesting match if they get a chance to fight. He added, “I would love to come to India again and fight against Vijender in front of his own people.”
The two-time former world champion has a plan of starting a few academies in India. Khan believes Vijender Singh, who is in the early stage of his professional boxing career in this part of the world, will help the sport grow fast.
Is there any better way to promote boxing in the two nations?
Boxing can unite India and Pakistan like cricket
The British boxer believes this sport can reduce the social tension between the two nations.
“India and Pakistan are same. We need to support each other,” believes Khan.
There is determination and single-minded focus in both the nations. He thinks there should be more boxing schools and academies to promote promising pugilists.
“In the two cricket-mad countries of so many people, we can build the sport. I would love to sit with Mary Kom in the near future and discuss on how we can make boxing a better sport in the country,” concluded the Bolton fighter.
Who knows, a career in boxing could well be a way out for a lot of people leading a tough life in the two countries.
