Khan helps boxing project new image

Amir Khan may have been a professional boxer for only a couple of days, but the 18-year-old already recognises the vital role he has in promoting a sport that has long struggled to find an acceptable image in modern society.

Following years of non-existent coverage on mainstream television, boxing in the UK was given a massive lift last summer when Khan battled his way to an Olympic final, where he was defeated by legendary Cuban Mario Kindelan in Athens.

On Saturday night Khan exacted revenge on Kindelan, and at the same time gave British amateur boxing an unprecedented slice of advertising, as farewell to the amateur ranks – a 19-13 victory – was broadcast live on terrestrial television.

There is little doubt that some of those who were calling for the banning of an undeniably brutal sport just a few years ago will now be interested in Khan, and are more likely to follow the progress of the young fighter as he embarks on a professional career.

He may not be Britain’s best boxer yet, but to the average person who takes a passing interest in sport, he is certainly the most recognisable.

“People have said to me that I have done a lot for boxing in this country [the UK], because it was not so long ago that people were saying that boxing should be banned in our country,” Khan said.