Amir Khan: Former unified world champion and Olympic medallist retires

Former world champion Amir Khan has introduced his retirement from boxing after a 17-year skilled profession.

His remaining bout was a sixth-round knockout loss towards rival Kell Brook – who additionally retired final week.

“It is time to cling up my gloves,” Khan posted on social media. “I really feel blessed to have had such a tremendous profession that has spanned over 27 years.”

Khan finishes his profession with 34 skilled wins and 6 losses, having turned skilled in 2005.

“I need to say a heartfelt due to the unbelievable groups I’ve labored with and to my household, buddies and followers for the love and help they’ve proven me,” he added.

From Olympic silver to world-title glory

Khan burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old on the 2004 Olympics. He was the one boxing consultant for Staff GB on the Video games.

A silver medal in Athens generated further funding for Staff GB and paved the best way for future Olympic stars akin to Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams.

It additionally thrust Khan into the limelight and his transition into skilled boxing got here amid enormous fanfare.

He raced to 18 straight wins as an expert, along with his lightning-fast arms despatching most opponents in thrilling style.

After a shock knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in 2008, Khan moved to the US and teamed up with famend coach Freddie Roach.

Simply 10 months after his first profession defeat, Khan realised his childhood dream by beating Andreas Kotelnik at Manchester Enviornment for the WBA light-welterweight title.

Breaking America

Khan unashamedly spoke of a need to ‘crack America’, a mission he achieved. By headlining arenas on the Las Vegas strip, he grew to become a worldwide star.

His win over Zab Judah in 2011 earned him the IBF belt and a unified champion title. His profession additionally noticed spectacular victories over the likes of Marcos Maidana, Devon Alexander and Luis Collazo, all additional cementing his standing as a British nice.

However his profession has not been in need of setbacks, both. He has been sensationally knocked out by Danny Garcia and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and suffered defeats to Lamont Peterson and present pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford.

Whereas these defeats go away a blemish on his file, Khan has usually been praised for his willingness to tackle the most effective and by no means duck a problem.

What subsequent for Khan?

Khan’s remaining outing noticed a 17-year-feud, and one of many greatest rivalries in British boxing historical past, lastly settled.

Having been outclassed by Sheffield’s Brook in entrance of a packed-out crowd in Manchester, Khan hinted at retirement, saying his love of the game was “not there any extra”.

Within the weeks that adopted, Khan had steered he may not be prepared to hold up the gloves on a defeat, however has now opted to observe his rival into retirement.

Brook says he needs to deal with managing fighters, an space Khan has additionally beforehand stated he want to pursue. He has additionally labored carefully with the WBC in selling boxing within the Center East.

Outdoors the ring, he has maintained a powerful public profile by way of his appearances in actuality gameshow ‘I am a Superstar’ and his personal BBC actuality TV present ‘Meet the Khans: Huge in Bolton’.