Former unified super lightweight champion Amir Khan (34-5, 21 KOs), the President of the newly formed World Boxing Council (WBC) Middle East Boxing Council, says he is honoured to lay the foundation to set up the first ever structured boxing governing body in the region and has pledged his commitment to developing the sport for future generations.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán announced last month that Khan and Senior Vice President Tahir (Taz), will lead the development of boxing throughout the region under the WBC Middle East Continental Federation that will see flexible and tailored development projects in the individual affiliated countries.
José Sulaimán, the Lifetime President of the WBC and Mauricio’s father, expressed his desire to Khan to one day see boxing become established and prosper in the Middle East and Khan, with Mauricio’s blessing, will seek to make that desire become reality.
Khan says he has a long-term, strategic vision for the evolution and advancement of boxing in the region, and believes his considerable experience within the sport places him in a unique position as he oversees the implementation of the revolutionary plan.
After capturing an Olympic Silver Medal in 2004 at just 17, Khan would enjoy great success as a professional, picking up world titles at super lightweight and facing some of the world’s finest competitors.
In addition to his in-ring exploits, Khan has launched his own promotional organisation, as well as continuing his philanthropy work through the Amir Khan Foundation, a charity tasked with helping to improve the lives of millions of disadvantaged children around the world.
To see boxing established in the Middle East has long been an ambition for Khan, which he believes is a major market with untapped potential.
Khan said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed as the President of the WBC Middle East Boxing Council by Mauricio and the WBC to head up this incredible and historic project to establish and develop boxing in the region.”
“It has long been a dream of mine and Maurcio’s father José, who I consider a dear friend, and I’m delighted to bring our vision to reality with the aim of producing great and proud Champions from the region, but to also return back to the community with health, welfare, education, through the excellent humanitarian work by the WBC Cares programme,”
“The ground work has already started in earnest behind the scenes with Tahir, the Vice President, and our team’s drive and determination to see this long-term project through. We’re all relishing the monumental challenge ahead of establishing and building the sport from the ground up,”
“We planted the seed with my fight against Billy Dib in Jeddah last year which was an historic moment for the region to be the first Muslim boxer to fight for a title. Now with a WBC Middle East Council coming into operation, it will pave the way for big-name fighters and high profile events to be staged there and for boxers in the region to have similar opportunities,”
“Winning Olympic Silver, World titles and fighting the best of my era has been an unbelievable career, but what we’re going to achieve in the Middle East and the lasting legacy we’ll leave in honour of José, I believe is going to be the ultimate highlight of my career.”
Tahir added, “We are proud and honoured to be involved with the WBC as we put all our energies into creating something truly special in the Middle East that generations to come will benefit from,”
“Boxing is becoming increasing popular in the Middle East, whilst still a new and emerging territory, it is the ideal time for the WBC, the most prestigious of governing bodies, to enter the region and establish a structured governing body,”
“Yes, the big fights and getting the Middle East to host exciting, globally recognised events are going to be a huge driving factor, but just as crucial is the growth of the grass roots of the sport and we will pay particular focus on this.”
“Boxing has been proved to be a positive contributor to society and with the WBC our long term vision includes schools, education, fitness, health; the development of the women’s sport and confronting obesity,”
For further information on the WBC Middle East Boxing Council and for countries in the Middle East region interested in affiliating, please contact [email protected]
Photo courtesy of Super Boxing League.