Amir Khan lifts the lid on lucrative new business venture and plans with Ghana president's son
Amir Khan is out of the ring but not the spotlight, as the former British boxer has embarked on a new venture that takes him all the way to Ghana
Amir Khan's new project promises to be an interesting one
(Image: Getty Images )
Amir Khan has always dared to be great - now his taste for immortality takes him to Ghana.
Khan, 38, will be collaborating with Sharaf Mahama - the son of Ghanaian President John Mahama - to promote the audaciously named 'Battle of the Beasts' fight-card in the West African country. In his glittering career in the ring, the British-Pakistani always backed himself to the hilt, taking on the likes of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, the concrete-fisted Terence Crawford and the dangerous Zab Judah among others.
His gambles did not always pay off. Canelo knocked him out in the sixth round of their 2016 bout, and he was forced to retire on his stool against Crawford not long after being caught with one of the most sickening low blows ever seen in boxing. After teasing a return from retirement and even a potential bout against Manny Pacquiao, Khan looks like he is settled on his next business venture - a relaunch of his boxing promotion company, AK Promotions.
The British Olympic silver medallist's company will work alongside Ghana's Legacy Promotions in a bid to bring the world's eyes to African boxing. The event, which takes place in Ghana on Friday, June 13, will be broadcast on DAZN and will feature a heavyweight clash between Andrew Tabiti of the USA and Ghana's very own Jacob Dickson.
Like Khan's career, the event is audacious, curious and exciting. Speaking exclusively to Wales Online, Khan said: "I know the president of Ghana's son (Mahama) really well. Sharaf got in touch with me, and he said, 'Look, I'd love you to do a boxing show here one day'.
"I thought about it, and then thought, 'Let's do it now'. I think it'll be nice. It's a good time now, where boxing is still baking all around the world. I decided 'Yeah, let's get a couple of fighters together.'
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"I've always wanted to get into promotion myself. Being an ex-fighter, I know exactly how the promotion game works when it comes down to fighters and weights. I have the contacts, and this is a good one now for me, because this will show me where the loyalty lies.
"I've made millions for promoters. I've made big deals happen with Turki Al-Sheikh, with Frank Warren, with Spencer Brown (Tyson Fury's manager). So this will show me if loyalty is going to be there with all these other promoters.
Amir Khan will be working with Sharaf Mahama for the event in Ghana
(Image: officialjdmahama/Instagram )
"I've worked with all the promoters from Golden Boy, Top Rank, Eddie (Hearn), Frank Warren, literally, everyone, you name them. This will help me go into the promotion game. I'm a big fan of the sport, and I want to make the best fight the best, just like Turki is doing now and over the last couple of years."
Khan's friend and colleague for the promotion, Mahama, is equally determined to bring the sport to Africa, stating: "This is the first of many. Our mission is to build a platform where African fighters shine globally and fans get the unforgettable nights they deserve. The world is watching, and Ghana is ready."
Despite one of the most historic matches in boxing history - the Rumble in the Jungle clash between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974 - taking place in Kinshasha, DR Congo, boxing is yet to reach the same heights in Africa, as it has in the USA, Europe and, most recently, Saudi Arabia.
Ohara Davies, who announced his retirement after losing to Adam Azim in October, will be returning to the ring for the event
(Image: Getty Images )
Khan is early into the promotion game, but his vision for what boxing will look like is as ambitious as all of the other top promoters. He added: "The best need to fight the best. We're dipping our feet in the water this time with this show in Ghana, learning the trade slowly. Then we will start doing more and more and more shows.
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"It's amazing to get DAZN on board as well. It's fun. I want to see what it's like to be the promoter and not be taking those punches in the ring. Normally, it's me taking the punches in the ring and the promoter sat there relaxing. I want to feel that now."
* AK Promotions in partnership with Legacy Rising Promotions presents Battle of the Beasts. Watch the action on Friday 13th June live on DAZN
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