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Ex-world champion Amir Khan says no amount of money can bring him back into the boxing ring

Ex-world champion Amir Khan says no amount of money can bring him back into the boxing ring

The former professional boxer does not want his children opting for the "brutal" sport either.
12 Aug, 2022

Former professional boxer Amir Khan retired from the ring in May and has no intentions of returning. He can’t see himself as a boxer anymore and does not want his children to ever opt for such a “brutal” profession either.

On Thursday, Khan shared his interview with sports radio station talkSPORT captioned, “Boxing is one of the hardest sports in the world and [you should know] when to call it a day. It was difficult to walk away from boxing but the signs were there, it was time to say good bye.”

The interview spanned over many figures and events from the boxing world and a few minutes in, Khan opened up about his retirement in detail. The interviewer prompted him by saying he “had to” ask whether the ex-boxer would come back “if the right money was on the table for a fight” to which he replied in the negative. “No, I’m done. Honestly, I’m done [with] the sport.”

He pinpointed his last fight as the moment he knew he had lost his love for the sport and said by that point, he was training just to keep fit. “It wasn’t me, even when I would walk into the ring, normally I’d be nervous, I’d be excited [but this time] I [felt] nothing, I had no butterflies in my stomach. I just wanted to get it over with. I didn’t want to be there, I’d lost love for the sport, to be honest with you. I love the sport, don’t get me wrong, but me as a fighter in boxing, I can’t do it anymore.”

Khan said he’s glad to be rid of the physical toll it would take on his body and has earned enough to live comfortably. “When I wake up now, if I sit there for too long, my back’s gone. I’ve always got injuries here and there. I’m so happy that I’m walking now, mentally and physically, and [have done] well in the sport financially [as well]. At the end of the day, we’re all prize fighters and I’ve made enough money now to live the rest of my life happy and see my kids grow up.”

He also answered a frequently asked question as to whether he’d let his kids box. “I take them to the gym, my girl the other day was boxing with me [but] I would never let them [pursue it] because boxing is a very brutal sport — it’s not a nice sport. One thing I can say is, you win a fight, you’ll find everyone around you [but] if you lose a fight, everyone disappears. It’s a very sad sport and everyone is there for the taking, it’s what they can get from you and make from you. Luckily, I got to see all this and realise that people are like this.”

The last couple of fights proved very lucky for the former boxer as he saw a financial boost and found the confidence to quit. “The last couple of fights are where I made the most money in my career because I was doing everything myself. I conked this guy out, I conked that guy out because at the end of the day, as boxers, we do make a lot of money but we do have a lot of big expenses as well. Luckily, I had my wife help me out on this, she took full control of all expenses, who I’m paying, what I’m paying and I saved so much. It is probably the last couple of fights that have given me the confidence to leave the sport and never have to fight again.”

Comments

Dave Aug 12, 2022 05:16pm
You can't win anyway. Then why involve money.
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Hamed Aug 12, 2022 05:38pm
Good decision!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Aug 12, 2022 06:05pm
Great move and excellent news.
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Tora Tora Aug 12, 2022 06:07pm
Coward.
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Masood Aug 12, 2022 06:46pm
Great boxer Amir
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Soniye tu auder te la Aug 12, 2022 07:06pm
He wants crypto instead.
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Syed A. Mateen Aug 12, 2022 07:14pm
He has chosen to be a boxer and he became a boxer but retirement from boxing is his personal choice and one should respect his decision. Though he have rich experience in boxing and to promote boxing in Pakistan, if he is willing to do so, he can become a boxing coach and train the boxers who would like to fight an international bout. But again as I have said, the choice should be only his choice and there should be no compulsion. As he said that he has made enough money and as such he don't need any more money, but there are people engaged in different professions that even after becoming senior citizens, they chose to work to keep themselves physically fit. To say good bye to a profession is a little bit difficult decision, but it entirely depends on an individual, if he can set his mind to some other profession. I an sure that he will not leave watching a bout between two boxers on TV channels to remind him that once upon a time he was also an internationally recognised boxer.
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ST Aug 12, 2022 07:44pm
This couple just want to be in news . I guess.
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Ahsan Gul Aug 12, 2022 08:26pm
Boxing is a dying support in USA. More injuries that leave boxers paralyzed for rest of their lives. Good that he is getting out to enjoy his life. Wise decision!
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ShadowLugia Aug 12, 2022 11:36pm
ok, noted glass chin
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haled Aug 12, 2022 11:49pm
He has been pummeled enough
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NYS Aug 12, 2022 11:50pm
Suggest you to watch' Dangal' an Indian one of the best movie and you will alter the decision of your choice to not let your child in this field
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Henchi Aug 12, 2022 11:52pm
All old race horses are laid to rest.
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SUV Aug 13, 2022 12:19am
Glass chin !! Wait world champion , where , when ?
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Ibrahim S Aug 13, 2022 12:21am
Never say never . Money talks and it talks very loud .
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Freedom Aug 13, 2022 12:41am
Because you are smart enough of know...."You are done"
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Nadeem Shah Aug 13, 2022 01:28am
He was finished a long time ago when Canello knocked him out cold.
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Iqbal Ahmed Aug 13, 2022 02:35am
Good decision. Better late than never.
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GreenAura Aug 13, 2022 03:07am
In fact, no amount of money would make me even watch this guy back in a boxing ring. Ditto for that insufferable vlog rubbish he does with his wife.
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Gopal Patel Aug 13, 2022 07:58am
He is echoing Rustam-e-Ajam Gama pahalwan.
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Heathen Aug 13, 2022 10:26am
I wouldn’t bet my money on Amir’s win even if he were boxing against Jake Paul so yeah , correct decision
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A Aug 13, 2022 10:52am
Very professional, practical and sensible.
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M. Emad Aug 13, 2022 12:04pm
Defeated boxer.
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Anonymouseee Aug 13, 2022 12:14pm
One of the best boxers of his time indeed. Happy retirement.
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