Amir Khan insists fire still burns ahead of 2020 ring return

AMIR Khan has already compiled an arguably hall of fame worthy career, but he is relishing the chance to add to his legacy as his ring return looms in 2020. 

The Bolton star last fought in July, stopping Billy Dib inside four rounds as he headlined over in Saudi Arabia.

Since that fight, Khan has devoted his time to his charity, the Amir Khan Foundation, as it continues its work supporting disadvantaged people across the globe, one of the projects including building an orphanage in the Gambia. 

The 32-year-old has also been putting time into his boxing academy on Prince Street in Bolton and working on other business interests including his plans for a multi-million pound wedding venue on Washington Road in the town.

"I have been doing a lot more work on the Amir Khan Foundation,” he said. 

“We are doing a lot more work in the UK feeding the homeless. I want to focus on more projects in the UK because I am from England, and there are a lot of people in the UK that need help.

“Myself and the board members of the foundation have been having meetings about how we can develop and help people in the UK because it’s where we are from.

“We have been talking about that and getting plans made, so hopefully early next year we can have a good strategy and doing a lot more work with the foundation so the less fortunate people around Bolton and other places can get the help that they need.”

Khan is now seeking a return to ring action, and a chance to reclaim his spot as a world champion having once held both the IBF and WBA super lightweight titles. 

He has fought twice this year, suffering a stoppage defeat to WBO World welterweight champion Terence Crawford in New York in April before his last victory over Dib.

The Olympic silver medallist plans to get back in the gym for a fight camp next month before looking at opponents for a return around March or April. One fight that has been speculated for many years is a bout with current WBA 147lb champion Manny Pacquaio.

Khan has been vocal throughout his career about wanting to pursue a fight with the Filipino great, but it is yet to come fruition.

Despite it being a possibility for Khan next year, it isn’t the only fight he has his eyes on. 

"There are many promoters we can work with,’’ the Bolton boxer, who started out at Bury ABC, said.

"We have options open, but we are looking at early next year.

"I am just going to look at all options, because there are so many there for me in the welterweight division.

“Keith Thurman is there still, you got the Danny Garcia rematch, Shawn Porter which was a fight I was once lined up for but that fell through, and the other big fight in the UK that can happen is Kell Brook, so really I am not really focusing on the Manny Pacquaio fight.

“I know there have been rumours that fight might happen, but I think there are other fights out there for me, but I am not really putting my eggs in one basket.’’

A huge UK clash with Sheffield’s former world champion Brook has been discussed for many years.

Although Brook hasn’t fought for a year, and has been campaigning in a higher weight division at super-welterweight, Khan believes it’s a fight that can still materialise.

He has been talking with promoter Eddie Hearn to discuss the possibility of making it happen, the Matchroom Boxing chief believing it is a case of now or never for the domestic dust-up.

"That fight is always going to be there, and it’s always going to be a big fight for the UK fans,” said Khan, who has won 34 of his 39 fights as a professional.

“Even though he hasn’t fought for over a year, I think it makes that fight even easier for me to win because he’s not been fighting, he’s going to have a lot of ring rust and he isn’t going to be at his best.

“I think he is waiting for one that one big payday, and I think that’s why he hasn’t really fought.

“I am in a position where I can fight the top fighters that bring a lot of money to the table and I am very lucky to be in that position.

“I can go to America, or go back to Saudi Arabia and do a fight there or I do a big fight in the UK, so I have three big options there.”

Khan has been a professional since 2005, turning over shortly after his Olympic success in Athens

He was crowned world champion when he defeated Andriy Kotelnik in 2009 and since then has fought some of the best fighters in the world including Garcia, Crawford, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Marcos Maidana.

Khan believes he can achieve a lot more before he retires, but claims there is one particular reason that keeps him fighting.

"The thing that inspires me to keep fighting is my fans,” he said.

“The love I get on social media and when I go out and about people are always asking me what I am doing and when I am going to fight.

“It keeps me inspired to keep fighting really, otherwise I would have probably retired a long time ago.

“Financially I am good, I just feel like I have got a lot left in me.

“It’s all about working hard, and looking at other things outside of boxing, but boxing comes first for me in my life. Boxing is what made me, and I love the sport inside out.’’