Amir Khan announces retirement from boxing, having become unified super lightweight world champion and Olympic silver medallist in a glorious 17-year career

Amir Khan announces his retirement from professional boxing at 35 following a glittering 17-year career that saw him crowned unified super-lightweight world champion.

The decision comes after Khan was beaten by his long-time rival Kell Brook, who also subsequently retired, at the Manchester Arena earlier this year.

4

In an Instagram post on Friday morning, Khan said, "It’s time to hang up my gloves.

"I feel blessed to have had such an amazing career that has spanned over 27 years In a sport that I love with a passion.  

"From the young 17-year-old old Bolton lad achieving his dream of winning an Olympic medal for his country and becoming a two-time world boxing champion. 

"Boxing has made me and has given me a platform which I have proudly used to to help and inspire others.

"I want to say a heartfelt thanks and to the incredible teams I have worked with and to my family, friends and fans for the love and support they have shown me."

Khan burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old at the 2004 Athens Olympics where he won a silver medal becoming Britain's youngest boxing Olympic medallist.

Most read in Boxing

Boxing schedule 2025: Results and dates including Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2

Brutal ringside footage shows Naoya Inoue getting dropped with vicious left hand

Anthony Joshua considering huge investment in EFL club as boxer reveals new details

Floyd Mayweather flaunts huge winning bet on Canelo Alvarez's lacklustre fight

4

After making his professional debut in 2005, Khan quickly became a fan favourite due to his dazzling hand speed and he remained unbeaten for his first 18 fights.

This was until he came up against Breidis Prescott, who many expected him to breeze past, but his defensively reckless style, which would go on to cause him problems a number of times throughout his career, was exposed and he was knocked out in the first round to suffer his first loss.

Ever the competitor, Khan bounced back quickly and less than a year later he won the WBA super lightweight world title, beating Andriy Kotelnik by unanimous decision.

Khan would go on to defend the title five times, which included victories over Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Gardens, knocking out Zab Judah in a world title unification and beating Marcos Maidana in a bout that was awarded 'Fight of the Year' by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

4

In 2011 Khan put his unified IBF and WBA titles on the line against Lamont Peterson, but lost by split decision and from that point onwards he experienced mixed fortunes for the remainder of his career.

He was knocked out by Danny Garcia in 2012, before enjoying a successful move up to welterweight, beating two former world champions in Devon Alexander and Chris Algieri.

Khan was not one to back down from a challenge and in 2016, he made the most ambitious move of his career, taking on Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at a catchweight of 155 lbs.

'King Khan' suffered a devastating one-punch knockout and he was never quite the same afterwards.

4

In 2018, Khan attempted a comeback, but it was clear he now had vulnerabilities that could no longer be carried by his impressive attacking arsenal.

Losses against Terence Crawford and Kell Brook marked the end of the road for Khan, who seems to have made the right decision to go into retirement with his health and legacy still intact.