LONDON: British boxer Amir Khan has decided not to pursue the chance to represent Pakistan at the upcoming Rio Olympics, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old, who previously won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, had earlier said he would “love” the opportunity to represent Pakistan.

However, now he has acknowledged that he will not be ready to seek a place in Rio via the final qualification tournament in Venezuela next month.

The Brit is still recovering from the sixth round knockout he suffered at the hands of Saul Alvárez in their WBC middleweight title fight in Las Vegas in May.

Amir had earlier raised the possibility of returning to Olympics after the world governing body, AIBA, ratified the eligibility of professional boxers for the event.

Amir, who risked a two-year ban by the World Boxing Council had he made a return to the Games, is one of the few fully professional fighters to speak out in favour of the move.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2016