Amir Khan explains how wife Faryal negotiated deal for Kell Brook grudge fight

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Amir Khan insists he will boss Kell Brook in the ring – even though he is no longer the boss at home.

The former light-welterweight world champion admits he now has to listen to orders from his kids. But he believes being a father and family life has changed his outlook ahead of his clash with bitter rival Kell Brook next month.

And it is all for the best, insists the Bolton fighter, who shot to fame as a 17-year-old Olympic silver medallist at the Athens Games in 2004. “I’m not like young Amir who thinks he can get away with everything,” said Khan, the father of three to Lamaisah, Alayna and Muhammad.

“My kids are the ones who tell me off. They’re the bosses. But my kids love it that I’m a boxer, they want me to walk them to their classroom at school to show their mates.

“They appreciate what I’ve done and they are happy to show me off to their teachers. That’s my motivation, that is what makes me happy. “That is what also keeps me in line now.

“Being that young kid, who was a bit wild, it came with fame and money but I’m glad my family and my dad kept me on the straight and narrow.

“As soon as I turned professional, I had a million pound in my bank.

“I had a car, a brand new Range Rover, I hadn’t even passed my driving test at the time. It is hard, it can get to your head but I didn’t let it get to me.”

Family troubles have plagued Khan in the past but now he seems content and happy with all around him while mum, Falak, is recovering from cancer and dad, Shah, remains part of his boxing life.

Family also seem to be helping his career again, or at least securing this potential final big pay day to face rival Brook at last on February 19 at Manchester Arena.

That’s because he sent wife Faryal Makhdoom to do what many promoters over the past six years have tried and failed to do – get the grudge fight on between the two Brits.

“My wife was the one who did the fight for me,” said Khan.

“She did the negotiating.

“She gets what she wants off me, so I knew she would make it happen. She is caring about me, my family and my kids. Everything we are doing now is for our kids.”

Khan’s deal for the fight includes a future punditry role with Sky Sports. It remains to be seen if this is the last time he will enter a ring.

He is preparing for the 40th fight of his career out in Colorado with new trainer Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre and is working alongside former foe Terence Crawford.

The Bolton fighter has had a remarkable career that started with a bang from his Olympic moment in 2004.

He’s had ups and downs, but certainly more of the former. He is a former unified world champion, who went to America and became a star in the States.

His list of opponents contains a who is who around the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions over the last decade or so.

Khan’s epic victory over Marcos Maidana in a brutal battle in Las Vegas is also vastly under-appreciated given what the Argentine achieved in the sport.

There have been shocking defeats, like the early one to Breidis Prescott and then to Danny Garcia when he was in control of the contest.

There was the contentious defeat by Lamont Peterson and the ill-advised move up in weight to take on Canelo Alvarez.

While his last loss, a bizarre early stoppage defeat to Terence Crawford, signalled the Bolton man may have seen better days in the ring but that should not dilute his past achievements.

“I think people forget what I’ve achieved in this sport,” he said.

“People dream of doing half of what I’ve done in the sport of boxing.

“I’ve been around a very long time at the highest level, maybe people just got used to me being there so took it for granted.

“The losses have maybe made people see me differently but when a fighter has lost a fight, gets put down quite badly it is normal that people turn off. I don’t hold it against them, I will just come back stronger.

“The way the British fans have treated me – yes I’ve had my criticism – but they’ve always been there for me when it came to the crunch.I could have been selfish and said ‘I’m not doing this fight’.

“I am putting a lot on the line but I’m doing it for them.

“If I didn’t give the fans this fight they would always have that bitterness against me. I’m putting it all on the line in this fight.”

Considering his success in the ring and his notable charity work outside of it, it seems bizarre there hasn’t been more recognition for him.

His foundation’s work includes community projects in Bolton, helping flood victims in Carlisle in 2015 and further donations to build orphanages abroad plus much more.

“I honestly think they’ve forgotten about me,” said Khan. “I often go to events and on the poster it says, ‘Amir Khan OBE’ will be speaking.

“Maybe when I knock out Kell Brook they will just knight me.”

  • Amir Khan
  • Boxing

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