Amir Khan has announced that he is set to return to the ring against one of boxing’s ‘biggest names’ following his retirement from professional fighting in May of last year.
Khan put a full stop on a world title-winning career with a bout against his longterm domestic rival, Kell Brook. Unfortunately for the Bolton man, his best days were behind him and Brook stopped him in the sixth.
Both men would go on to hang up the gloves and, whilst Brook has teased a return to the pro game, Khan has been more settled in retirement. He has not, however, ruled out exhibitions.
In the time since, it has been revealed that he failed a post-fight doping test on the night of the Brook loss, and was subsequently banned from all sports for two years, ending on April 5 2024.
Khan has protested his innocence and an independent panel accepted the argument that he had not intentionally ingested the substance.
Whatever ban he’s currently serving seemingly won’t affect an exhibition, as at this weekend’s Disrupt Promotions show in Dubai he announced he would be stepping through the ropes once more.
“I think there’s gonna be a massive announcement in the next week or so. I might be coming back in the ring again. I might be fighting again. It’s not gonna be a small fight, it’ll be like a super fight as well.
The deal was that big I couldn’t turn it down. So that’s why I’ll get myself back in the gym again, train again. It’ll be a massive fight. We’ve kept it very quiet at the moment.
I can’t announce anything just yet, but it’s one of the biggest names in boxing who I’ll be in the ring with. This fight was talked about so many times before. Dubai, in my opinion, they’ve made it happen.
We are 99% there. Agreements have been signed from both parties, and I think this week hopefully, the opponent – I don’t know if I should call him opponent or should I call him champion as well – they will be flying into Dubai and hopefully we’ll be doing a conference to announce it.”
The main man on the exhibition circuit is Floyd Mayweather Jr, who has branded himself ‘the most active hustler in boxing.’ The pair never fought during their careers, but came close and have a notable shared opponent in Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez.
Longtime Mayweather rival, Manny Pacquiao, has also been involved in some entertainment contests, and has recently announced one with Thai boxer Buakaw Banchamek in early 2024.
Should Khan’s plans come off, fans will know more in the coming weeks.