King Khan declared British boxer of the year
The title was awarded at the annual awards ceremony held by the British Boxing Board of Control.
The contenders for the title included Ricky Burns, Fury Tyson, George Groves and others. Khan was unable to make it to the event as he is currently in training ahead of his December 10 showdown with Lamont Peterson in Washington, but he thanked to his fans and trainers in a statement.
Khan holds the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) light welterweight title, as well as the World Boxing Association (WBA) light welterweight belt.
The 25-year-old boxer, born in Bolton has previously said that he feels proud over representing England and Pakistan.
“Along with England, I also represent Pakistan and it is a great achievement for me. People ask me and I say I am a British Pakistani and that’s a great feeling.”
COMMENTS (22)
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@Noble Tufail: Meaning that he has values and ethics like those in Britain, and he knows the habits, behaviour and cultural society norms of Britain and Western Europe. And he feels comfortable in these habitats. And to a lesser degree the same for Pakistan. But no matter, by heart he is Pakistani, and he knows it. And the british people and society, no matter how nice and good they have treated him as equal, has ever reminded him that he is not a true Bristish/Westerner. My father taught me to be proud Pasitani forever, because thats what I am, but at he same time embrace and contribute valuable to the surrounding society that had welcomed us and taken so good care of us - but never to compromise our own faith and believes. It is a gift of life to be able to master and feel like fish in water in two so ifferent societies. Some break, but most make. He is happy and proud of this.
@Andy: What a silly comment you left Andy Why ? He is a very talented young fighter and i for one wish more youth of Pakistani decent living in the UK had the same attitude as Amir khan, perhaps then there would be more understanding and tolerance. Good luck Amir in all your endeavours.
British clown of the year
Dear friends thanks for your thoughts. if I may say .. that Britain does not set the gold standard to understand the identity issues in case if it promotes people to identify themselves by colour, creed, religion etc. Jinnah on the other hand said that no punjabi. sindhi. pakhtoons etc . we are all Pakistanis. "British Pakistanis" might want to learn something from Jinnah. Look at the hundreds of article expressing concerns about the fragmented British society .. they are calling for more integration. My forefathers came from Gurdaspur to Lyallpur.. and I feel no connections at all.I am so satisfied being a Pakistani.
@Cautious: And you can't make a day without spitting on Pakistan either: the fact is that HE defines himself as such, so, you can be Mr Cautious or Mrs over-Cautious in front of the computer, but it doesn't change the fact that he's - yes, happens - British A.N.D. Pakistani.
Sleep well. : )
What contribution Pakistan has made towards Amir's success? Why we should feel proud just because of his ethnicity? that is being racist infact
@Asad: Sound like you are just jealous. Amir makes all of Pakistanis proud whether we live in North America or the UK. He is part of the great Pakistani diaspora. He is a British citizen who still celebrates his family's roots which tells us he comes from a decent family. His charitable work in promoting sport and boxing in Pakistan is respected throughout. We need more role models like him!
Guy was born in England and lived here his whole life -- how's that make him a Pakistani? You guys must be desperate to get any positive news.
@'Noble' tufail and Jalal: Your comments can not take Pakistan out of Amir. Well done Amir, and his sensational younger brother representing Pakistan. Cheers.
P.S: Amir had refused to represent British team, and have been boxing independently in commercial (much bigger) ring.
Man I have watched his fightings. Really fast moves in liteweight champion. Keep it up boy, you are the next name after Ali.
Just like Pakistani Punjabi, Pakistani Pathan, Pakistani Baloch, Pakistani Sindhi, Pakistani urdu speaking...no confusion...all are Pakistanis but that is the ethnic identification.
@Noble Tufail
British Pakistanis are NOT Pakistanis, but rather they are a type of British ie British Indians, British Carribeans, British Africans, British whites, etc...So there is no confusion there but just an identification of the 'type' of British Citizen a person is.
Do not even think that 'British Pakistanis' are Pakistanis...or are confused. They are 100% British but their race or ethnicity is 'Pakistani' not their nationality. Same goes for Britsh Indians, British Africans, British Whites, etc.... All British with different ethnicities.
if PPP chairman can be named BILAWAL- BHUTTO ZARDARI ... why cant Amer Khan call himself Brit Pakistani :)
@Noble Tufail:
Amir Khan was born in Bolton, England and both of his parents were born in Pakistan hence he has dual nationality hence he is a British Pakistani.
Whenever one fills in an application form for a job or anything else for that matter in England, one is asked for their nationality. For those people are born in England but their parents are born in the indian subcontinent they have to put down 'British - Asian Origin' or 'British - Pakistani' or 'British - Indian'.
Please research matters before making ill-informed statements.
welldone bro, supporting you 100%. best of luck in peterson fight!
@Noble Tufail - the fact that he still acknowledges his pakistani roots openly, and made several charitable initiatives for pakistani earthquake and flood victims, should be enough to answer your "confused" statement. Also you forgot to quote “Along with England, I also represent Pakistan and it is a great achievement for me." Ask yourself, what have you done lately!!
He is the man. I 'll be looking for him against Peterson on the 10th. GO Amir!
@Noble Tufail: The credit goes to Britain, where he born, grow up and got training.
@Noble Tufail: Why confusion? He's born and raised ]in Britain but his roots are Pakistani- he may identify more with their culture but that doesn't take away from him being any less Pakistani. He is the pride of both of these countries- what's the fuss?
Work hard and stay humble and all the Titles will come to you InshaAllah ! Heartiest congratulations to you and your family without whom it may not have been possible.
there is no such thing as British Pakistani. Anyways good enough to enlighten our hearts
A fair and a well deserve award to Amir Khan, a great fighter indeed.. love this Man.. Goooooooooooooooo Amir..
"People ask me and I say I am a British Pakistani and that’s a great feeling.”
Great feeling or great confusion Khan.