British Boxing Legend Amir Khan announces retirement form Boxing

Former Unified Light-Welterweight champion Amir Khan has announced his retirement from boxing. The 35-year-old Olympic silver medallist retires as of the most entertaining boxers of his generation.

Amir ‘King’ Khan retires boasting a record of 34 wins, coming from 40 bouts, and is the youngest British Olympic boxing medallist in history, winning a silver medal in Athens back in 2004, aged just 17.

Khan hangs up his gloves after suffering a loss to long time boxing rival Kell Brook in February this year. There were doubts about Khan’s longevity before the fight, with many continuing to question Khan’s chin, a concern that has hovered over Khan for most of his career. The doubts were ultimately proved true as Khan was stopped in the 6^th round via TKO.

After the Athens Olympics, the then 17-year-old fighter came back to Britain with the country’s expectations on his shoulders. The Bolton born boxer certainly lived up to what was expected.

Khan finally realised his dreams at the age of 22, becoming the WBA light-welterweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Andreas Kotelnik. Making him one of the youngest Champions in British boxing history.

Khan went on to unify the Light-Welterweight belts, with a fifth-round TKO win over Zab Judah crowning him the IBF champion.

However, Khan has had a career of ups and downs. From very early on in his career, fans and critics alike voiced concern over Khan’s chin. This was first exposed after he was knocked out in just 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott back in 2008.

Five of Khans six defeats have come via stoppage, and many fans will be relieved that the national hero is retiring before serious damage has the potential to take place.

Khan announced his retirement on Friday via twitter, saying:  “It’s time to hang up my gloves. I feel blessed to have had such an amazing career that has spanned over 27 years. I want to say a heartfelt thanks and to the incredible teams I have worked with and to my family, friends and fans for the love and support they have shown me.”

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