Amir Khan Thrills Pakistani-American Community with His Boxing Skills
By Anwar Khwaja
Amir Khan with members of the media and fans at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles. Khan’s relatives, friends and admirers are also seen above
Amir Khan came to California in November 2010 to prepare for the big fight to be held at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas on December 11, 2010. He was in Los Angeles earlier in August during the Independence Day celebrations when he was a major attraction for the crowd.
Amir Khan’s arrival in Los Angeles created thrill and excitement for the Pakistani-American community. On Thanksgiving Day, he was invited by Mrs. Majabeen, Azam Khan and their famous son, rap singer Fahad Azam alias Al Capn-e, to their Mariano Valley residence in California along with Khan’s father and uncle. Al Capn-e has also written a song in praise of Amir Khan which has become quite popular.
On 30th November Amir Khan and Marcos appeared at the Wild Card Boxing Club to address the press. Oscar De La Hoya was also there. Rap singer Al Capon-e too was present. Espn interviewed both the fighters. Later, a very interesting boxing demonstration was put up by both the fighters with their respective coaches. The Wild Card Boxing Club is the major venue for professional boxers in Los Angeles.
It will be recalled that on August 28, 2004 the then 17-year-old amateur boxer Amir Khan from Bolton catapulted into media spotlight after finishing as a runner-up to Cuban boxer Mario Kindelan at the Olympic Games in Athens. Amir was challenging a 33-year-old triple world champion. After just four rounds a new star was born, Khan King. He won a silver medal for Briton. Since then Amir Khan has exploded onto the British sports scene. He has ridden at the top of his game to a rapturous reception in Briton.
Khan was born in Bolton from Pakistani parents. He has two sisters and one brother Haroon, who is also a boxer and represents Pakistan in boxing. Amir Khan has command over the English language, he also speaks Punjabi and Urdu fluently. He has graduated from a high school and college from Bolton, England.
Khan began boxing at the age of 11, won three English school titles and gold medal at the 2003 junior Olympic.
Khan won his professional fight against Davis Baiy on 16Th July 2005 at Bolton Arena.
He moved from lightweight to light welterweight for a single fight against French fighter Racid drilzane on December 2006 winning . On 7th April,2007, Khan defeated Steffy. Next fight with Earl. Khan was so swift that he knocked him out in very little time He fell and could not get up. This proved to be a great victory of his career.
On April 2008, Khan was to fight Martin Kinistjansen but he was ill so he fought with Australian boxer Gary StClair for the Commonwealth lightweight title in London. It was an excellent fight and lasted 12 rounds. Khan won.
On December 2oo8, khan defeated the aggressive Oisin Fagan in 97s second and earned the title Wrath of Khan.
In early 2009, it was announced that Khan will fight former world champian, Marco Antonio Barrera at Manchester on March 14, 2009. Barrera was ranked number one and Khan number five. The fight was stopped in the fifth round as Barrar got a cut on his left eye and the doctor canceled the fight. The fight was rated at the scorecard where Khan was ahead. on all scores, that is {50-44, 50-45,50-45}.He was declared the winner. With this victory, Khan defended his WPA international lightweight title and also won the vacant WBO international lightweight title.
On July 2009, Khan won WBA world welter light title by defeating Andreas Katelnek at Manchester and became the third youngest Briton to win a world title at the age of 22. It was an extremely intense match. Both the fighters were in top form but the speed, stamina and boxing skill which characterize Khan won the day for him.
On 9 March,2010, Khan fought with Ukrainian American undefeated boxer Dmitry Salita and knocked him out in 76 seconds. It was the first defeat of Demitry.
On 17th January, Khan announced that he had split with his British promoters and signed a deal with Oscar De La Ho-ya and Golden Boy Promoters. Khan has also a new coach in LA.
On March 2010, Golden Boy Promoters announced that Khan will fight with former light welterweight world champion Paulie Malignaggi in New York at Madison Square Garden. This was Khan’s first bout in America. The fight was for the title of WBA light welterweight. Khan won in the 11th round. After the fight he announced that he will fight with MarcosMaidana, Argentinian WBA super lightweight interim world champion.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
