Want to be remembered as people's champion: Amir Khan

NEW DELHI: Muhammad Ali has fans spanning across generations. Of course, what he achieved in the boxing ring has contributed a lot to it. His 'trash talks' are stuff of legends. But what continues to make him a revered public figure even today has much to do with his off-ring persona. He was the 'people's champ' and a social activist. Not many boxers or for that matter, sports personalities can claim to this title; not even the self-anointed 'The Best Ever' Floyd Mayweather Jnr in spite of all his boxing mastery.
However among the current lot, Manny Pacquiao would come closer. And this continues to be true despite his defeat to Mayweather in a record-breaking and much hyped fight earlier this year.
Mayweather has an enviable undefeated career record (49-0) and one of the richest sportspersons and one can easily be tempted to emulate his feats.
But not if you are Amir Khan.
What connects Ali and Pacquiao is what separates them from Mayweather. This connecting link is what Amir is striving hard for. He wishes to be remembered as the people's champion.
Currently in India to promote boxing academies that he is planning to open in the country, Amir is on a mission to give back to the sport that has brought him much success and global fame. His aim is to contribute in any manner towards the development of boxing in India which he considers 'a powerhouse of talent'. He wants to unearth talented boxers at the grassroot level which according to him is where champions come from.
"By building academies here, I hope to help in the development of the sport here. We will be running academies for both Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing. We are not here to make profits. In fact we have to pump in money for setting and running them," Amir told TOI Sports on Tuesday. "So the aim is to contribute to the development of boxing right from the grassroot level. Champions come from the grassroots level. Look at the history! Most of the champions have come from humble beginnings. That's where we want to tap in. We will provide the right coaches, right training and facilities and hopefully build champions of tomorrow."

Amir started boxing when he was all but eight years, primarily to channel his energy into something fruitful. In his own words, he was 'quite hyperactive' and 'annoying' as a kid and boxing disciplined him. The decision to turn to boxing proved to be a game changer for him as at 17 years of age, he became the youngest Briton to win an Olympic medal [Athens 2004, Silver].
A year after winning the Olympic medal, Amir made a decision to switch to pro boxing. A decade later, he is being touted to succeed Mayweather as the greatest pound-for-pound pugilist. The quest for a new challenge spurred him to take the leap and what a fruitful decision it has turned out to be. At the age of 29, Amir boasts a 34-3 professional record, has title belts across three weight categories and is one of the highest paid boxers.
"I went professional because I wanted to take on a different challenge for me. So, I turned professional to achieve more success. The transition wasn't easy though. As you know, professional and amateur boxing are quite different. I had to change my whole training, diet, style of fighting. To sum up, I had to change everything about me," he says.
A two-time world champion, Amir acknowledges Mayweather as one of the greatest boxers, but would rather like to be remembered in the same vein as his idol Ali.
Humility is a virtue that the Briton takes pride in. That's evident as he obliges every call for an interview or a request for a 'selfie' despite running on a tight schedule.
When asked where does he rate himself among the current generations of boxers, he simply smiles and utters three words, "I am OK."
In spite of his achievements and celebrity status, Amir prefers a quiet living over a 'flashy lifestyle'.
"God's been kind to me. I respect everything that I have achieved so far. Boxing makes you more humble. I think it's better to help people who are in need rather than showing off your wealth. My focus is always in boxing. I just want to be a boxer. Nothing else," he says.
When questioned about his maiden trip to India, Amir says "its been terrific and a success.
"I have met so many lovely people out here. Went to attend a friend's wedding. Attended Harbhajan's [Singh] wedding too. It's been a beautiful experience. I went to Ajmer Sharif and said my prayers. India is a great place. There's respect for so many religion, cultures. Would love to come back here."
Amir believes there's at least a decade left before he thinks of calling time on his professional career and before that, he wants to 'do something big' and become the new 'Khan', referring to the Khan troika of Bollywood (Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir).
"I am just 29 and still have 10 years left in my professional career. You have Shah Rukh Khan and all. I have come here to do something big and be the new Khan," he says.
Read this story in Malayalam