Amir Khan

Amir Khan (born December 8, 1986) is a British boxer from Bolton, Lancashire, England. He is the IBF inter-continental light welterweight champion and currently ranked #11 in the WBO world lightweight rankings.
He went to Devonshire Road Primary School, Smithills High School and Bolton Community College in Bolton. He was a hyperactive child and "a born fighter", according to his father, who encouraged him to take up boxing. His hero is Muhammad Ali.
Khan belongs to Janjua Rajput clan of Pakistan, which has a long and well documented history of warrior kings and a strong martial reputation. He often uses his position as a well-known British Muslim to encourage better relations between British Muslims and the wider community, particularly in his home town of Bolton. He is the younger cousin of cricketer Sajid Mahmood.
The precocious Bolton-based fighter stepped into the over-sized shoes of big Audley as Britain's only representative in the boxing competition in Athens.
And not only did his astonishing performances light up the Games - but they bagged him a stunning silver medal too! Not 18 until December, Amir is Britain's youngest Olympic boxer since Colin Jones in 1976. And although he didn't quite manage to strike gold in the lightweight division, Amir certainly came of age!
Despite declaring after the 2004 Olympics that he would pursue a Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Khan turned professional in 2005, signing with England's leading boxing promoter, Frank Warren. This was fuelled by a row with the English Amateur Boxing Association over the ticketing allocation for his family and friends at the English ABA Finals.
He has won his first twelve professional fights, drawing good reviews in the tabloid press however boxing fans have criticised Khan for repeatedly fighting journeymen from lower weight divisions many with as few as zero knockouts.
Khan fought for the lowly regarded IBF Inter-continental title against French fighter Rachid Drilzane on December 9, 2006, winning a 10 round decision despite the fact titles are usually contested over 12 rounds. Khan experienced the first knockdown of his career, he claimed he got his foot caught in the rope and touched down with his glove, giving the referee no choice but to award his opponent the knock-down. [2] Drilzane had never scored a knockout in his 13 fight career.
Khan has announced his intention to be a World Champion by the time he is 21, by the end of 2007 - comments which have prompted reactions from boxing fans directed towards his promoter to increase the level of his opposition.[citation needed] Khan's life and career to date have already been documented in a book titled Amir Khan: a Boy from Bolton and he has even released a DVD of his first nine fights. Also he has been known for reading his prayer before fighting in the ring. On April 7th, he beat Stefy Bull in a three round Technical Knockout in Cardiff.