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 by
the Rafiki/Motswako Group
Bolton boxer, Amir Khan, rose to
prominence as the sole representative of the United Kingdom in boxing at
the 2004 Olympics in Athens, where the plucky youngster picked up a
silver medal.
Since then, Khan has gone on to pick up the IBF Inter-Continental Light
Welterweight Championship and Commonwealth Lightweight championship, but
he’s known for much more than just his skills in the ring.
A proud British Muslim, Khan has been dubbed a ‘poster boy for
multiculturalism’ in the UK, which is why Rafiki / Motswako, a group for
black minority ethnic, asylum seeking and refugee young people in Wigan
Borough caught up with the Bolton bruiser to ask him about his career as
well as his stance on multicultural Britain.
Do you enjoy living in Bolton? Have you ever considered moving away
from the town?
I enjoy living in Bolton, I love everything about it, and home is home
for me. I wouldn’t consider moving away but maybe get a nice place in
the sun somewhere abroad for short breaks.
What does being a British Muslim mean to you?
Being a British Muslim means a lot to me, I’m very proud living in a
British country with an Islamic faith as I get respect from all
different colours and races.
Your grandfather left Rawalpindi in Pakistan to start a new life in
Britain in 1963. Do you see yourself as British of Pakistani?
Whenever I go to Pakistan, I’m happy to say that I am from England.
That’s how it is, that’s how I feel. Yes, I’m proud of my Pakistani
heritage, my whole family is, but we’ll always be British.
How do you feel when people describe you as a role model for young
British Muslims?
If I can show young Asian lads that you can succeed, then great. I want
to be a role model. I want to make the whole country proud and show that
Muslims can succeed if they have the right attitude. When people look at
Muslims, they think negative things. When they look at me, people
respond positively.”
What is your advice to ethnic minority young people who feel
marginalised in British communities?
My advice to young ethnic minorities who feel marginalised in British
communities would be not worry about it, try and get on with life and
keep strong, at the end of the day everyone is human doesn’t matter what
colour or race you are.
Why did you become a boxer?
I became a boxer as I was a very hyper active kid when I was young and
my father took me to the boxing gym and it felt like home, ever since my
dad would always take me to the gym I really enjoyed it and had
something to do and I progressed and got better and better throughout my
time there.
If you weren’t a boxer what do you think you’d be doing?
If I didn’t become a boxer a normal boys dream would be to become a
footballer but mine probably would have been cricket.
Are you happy with how your boxing career is progressing?
I’m very happy the way my boxing career is progressing, I couldn’t ask
for anything as better. I get told by loads of people that they’d love
to be in the position that I am in including other boxers, but it took a
lot of commitment and hard work.
You recently said Sugar Ray Leonard describing you as “the full
package” was a big boost for your confidence. How do you deal with
negative comments like when Mario Kindelan said you didn’t have the
style to be a top professional ahead of your second fight at The Reebok
Stadium?
Negative comments don’t really bother me as much, in fact it gives me a
bigger boost to try and prove them wrong, Mario Kinderlan is one of the
biggest amateur legends outs there everyone has their own opinions, to
get the thoughts of the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Kinderlan is
fantastic whether is positive or negative it would just give me more
confidence and determination.
For more information on Rafiki / Motswako or to join the group, please
contact Mehmood on (01942) 488075
Recommended Link:
►
http://www.amirkhan-boxing.com
►
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