By Patrick McHugh: Amir Khan (31-4, 19 KOs) says he would like to fight in the 2016 Olympics for Pakistan in Rio de Janeiro. This would be a controversial move for Khan, as he fought for Great Britain in the 2004 Olympics and captured a silver medal that year. The 29-year-old Khan is also a professional with 11 years of experience. Fighting against amateurs would seem to be hardly fair, especially if the amateurs are teenagers.
On Wednesday, the AIBA revealed that they would be giving professional fighters the opportunity to compete in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is a highly controversial move because the amateur ranks are usually occupied by younger fighters from different countries trying to make a name for themselves.
Many of the amateurs have very little in the way of experience compared to professional fighters. As such, the amateurs could find themselves competing against pros with much more experience.
“It’s a decision which I welcome,” Khan said via skysposrts.com. “It will help boxers and if I am permitted as per rules and from my promoter then I would love to compete for Pakistan. I will be very happy if I can compete in the Olympics. I want to serve Pakistan.”
Whether Khan will be allowed to compete in the Olympics will be decided by his promoters and the Pakistan Boxing Federation. If Khan can get the green light from them, then it’ll be up to him whether he seriously wants to compete or not in the Olympics. He would need to make a decision quickly in order for him to compete this summer.
It’s bad timing for Khan to be competing in the Olympics right now. He was just brutally knocked out by former WBC middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last month on May 7 in the 6th round. Khan was knocked unconscious by a big right hand shot from Canelo.
It’s probably not a good idea for Khan to return to the ring so soon after a knockout like that. If Khan were to compete in the Olympics, he would need to fight at a fast pace due to the fights being four rounds. It would be pure slugging, and Khan might not be up to that right now given the severity of his knockout.
Some British fans might not like the idea of Khan fighting for Pakistan after having competed for Great Britain previously. Khan lives in the UK, and has fought many of his professional fights there. It might be tough for British fans to watch Khan fighting for Pakistan rather than for Great Britain.
Khan would be better off focusing on his pro career rather than trying to recapture his youth by competing in the Olympics again. Going back to that kind of competition could be seen an a backwards move for Khan’s career, which has been stalled since he lost to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia four years ago. Khan should devote his time on trying to become a world champion again if possible.