Amir mulls over future

Published October 3, 2004

LONDON, Oct 2: Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan will meet boxing promoter Frank Warren with one topic on the agenda - his future.

The British boxing prodigy insisted after the Athens Games that he wanted to retain his amateur status with a view to winning a gold medal, just like his hero Muhammed Ali, at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. But Warren will try to convince the 17-year-old lightweight that his best option is to turn professional in the near future to exploit the financial rewards awaiting his prodigious talent.

The boxer from Bolton was due to be a guest of Warren's at Friday's IBF light welterweight fight between Ricky Hattonand the Delaware boxer Mike Stewart in Manchester.

Warren told BBC Radio ahead of the meeting: "My offer is not dependent on him turning professional straight away. "He'd be a great addition to the professional ranks.

"I'm not going to try to persuade him. I'll make him an offer and it's up to him. "By the time the Beijing Games come around he could be world champion and make his financial future secure."

Warren wants to give Amir the chance to cash in following his performance in Athens in a similar way to teenage football star Wayne Rooney who moved from Everton to Manchester United for a fee of £30 million.

In an attempt to delay Amir turning pro the British Amateur Boxing Association revealed last week it was ready to offer him a package worth £70,000(US$126,000) a year.-AFP

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...