Amir Khan 'relishing' chance to nurture Middle East's future boxing champions

The British boxer, 33, was appointed in mid-September as president of the newly formed World Boxing Council (WBC) Middle East Boxing Council.

British boxer Amir Khan was in September appointed as president of the newly formed World Boxing Council (WBC) Middle East Boxing Council. PA

Two-time world champion Amir Khan is aiming to produce future title winners from the region in his role as president of the newly formed World Boxing Council (WBC) Middle East Boxing Council.

The British boxer, 33, was appointed in mid-September as the WBC launched the region's first structured governing body for the sport, which will focus on “flexible and tailored development projects to the individual affiliated countries”. Its base will be in Dubai.

A frequent visitor to the Middle East, Khan is said to have a “strategic and long-term vision” for the growth of boxing in the region, described as a long-held ambition of his.

Last year, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist became the first Muslim boxer to contest a championship title in Saudi Arabia, when he defeated Billy Dib at the King Abdullah Sports Stadium in Jeddah to claim the vacant WBC International Welterweight crown. It remains Khan's most recent competitive outing.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be appointed as the president of the WBC Middle East Boxing Council by [WBC president] Mauricio [Sulaiman] and the WBC to head up this incredible and historic project to establish and develop boxing in the region," Khan said.

“It has long been a dream of mine and Mauricio’s father, Jose, who I consider a dear friend, and I’m delighted to bring our vision to reality with the aim of producing great and proud champions from the region, but to also return back to the community with health, welfare, education, through the excellent humanitarian work by the WBC Cares programme.

“The ground work has already started in earnest behind the scenes with Tahir [Taz], the vice president, and our team’s drive and determination to see this long-term project through. We’re all relishing the monumental challenge ahead of establishing and building the sport from the ground up."

Khan's title clash with Dib, which the Bolton-born boxer helped promote, continued to cement Saudi's growing influence within the sport. Last December, the kingdom hosted the world heavyweight title rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.

“We planted the seed with my fight against Billy Dib in Jeddah last year, which was a historic moment for the region to be the first Muslim boxer to fight for a title," Khan said. "Now with a WBC Middle East Council coming into operation, it will pave the way for big-name fighters and high-profile events to be staged there and for boxers in the region to have similar opportunities.

“Winning Olympic silver, world titles and fighting the best of my era has been an unbelievable career, but what we’re going to achieve in the Middle East and the lasting legacy we’ll leave in honour of Jose, I believe is going to be the ultimate highlight of my career.”

Khan, a former WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion, announced in September that he and his young family would be relocating to Dubai. He has spoken previously about launching an academy in the emirate in association with the Dubai Sports Council.

WBC Middle East Boxing Council senior vice-president Taz added: “We are proud and honoured to be involved with the WBC as we put all our energies into creating something truly special in the Middle East that generations to come will benefit from.

“Boxing is becoming increasing popular in the Middle East - whilst still a new and emerging territory, it is the ideal time for the WBC, the most prestigious of governing bodies, to enter the region and establish a structured governing body.

"Yes, the big fights and getting the Middle East to host exciting, globally recognised events are going to be a huge driving factor, but just as crucial is the growth of the grass roots of the sport and we will pay particular focus on this.

"Boxing has been proved to be a positive contributor to society and, with the WBC, our long-term vision includes schools, education, fitness, health; the development of the women’s sport and confronting obesity.”