Warren in talks with Khan

The Gaffer · Post by **The Gaffer** » 29 Sep 2004, 05:26

John Rawling
Wednesday September 29, 2004
The Guardian

Amir Khan may be moving closer to a professional career under allegedly after the promoter revealed last night that Britain's Olympic lightweight silver medallist was to be a guest at Ricky Hatton's world title defence in Manchester on Friday, and that he will have talks with the boxer and his representatives about a possible deal.

Although the English Amateur Boxing Association has presented Khan with a written guarantee of a package of support worth £70,000 a year over the four years leading to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Khan has still not agreed to its terms and there is a growing belief in his camp that Warren's involvement might be the preferred option, even though Khan said in the aftermath of his Athens success that his ambition remained to win an Olympic gold medal.

"Of course I want to sign Amir," Warren said last night. "He could be a huge star if we look after him the right way. But it has to be because he really wants to do it."

Other promoters are also believed to have been in contact with Khan, the first amateur in 53 years to be named the young boxer of the year by the British Boxing Writers Club. Previous winners include Randolph Turpin, John Conteh, Barry McGuigan, Frank Bruno and Naseem Hamed.

Hatton, also a former young boxer of the year who is defending his World Boxing Union light-welterweight title at the MEN Arena in Manchester against Mike Stewart of the United States, has joined the growing number of professionals advising Khan to capitalise on his fame by turning pro after his 18th birthday in December. "I turned professional when I was 18 because it was all I ever wanted," said Hatton. "It was certainly the right decision for me."

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 29 Sep 2004, 05:58

the way Amir was really getting involved in the Olympic bid yesterday suggests he wont be turning over just yet...

We all know Frank likes to talk about things before they actually happen.... so i am keeping my fingers crossed its all bollocks

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 29 Sep 2004, 06:18

Khan's a lightweight...

Khan-Hatton when Mike Stewart pulls out?

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 29 Sep 2004, 06:26

can see it now

2010 - Khan is 150-0-0 and still being interviewed saying "Frank has promised, after my next bout against A. N. WALKING CADAVER to get me into the major leagues"

S

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 29 Sep 2004, 14:17

Too right. Turning pro with allegedly is the worst decision he could possibly make.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 29 Sep 2004, 15:31

SN are probably the only people in this country who could afford Khan. Khan will get a million just for signing with him. Sky need a new star and need the viewing figures as well. Khan needs a manager and a lawyer of the highest standard.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 29 Sep 2004, 15:41

Guest wrote:Too right. Turning pro with allegedly is the worst decision he could possibly make.

His accountant won't think so....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 29 Sep 2004, 16:49

No, but then he can make a helluva lot of money by embarking on a successful career.

allegedly can guarantee he'll fight 35 men with records like 0-0-3 and then he can REALLY move on. To boxers who managed to rack up a loss at some point in their career.

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 29 Sep 2004, 17:29

Ive heard from an incredible reliable source that Khan is staying amatuer

at least for another year !

pro after 2005 Worlds i'd say

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 29 Sep 2004, 18:43

If I was Khan and wanted to turn pro, I would probably consider Warren first.

I mean, look at Kevin Mitchell's development, no one would say that 17 year old Khan would be pushed too quickly as some people fear a pro move could create.

Khan could beat up Mitchell's opponents now.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 30 Sep 2004, 12:11

One thing that must be considered is that after he said he would stay ametur he will look very bad if he turns down £70,000 to turn pro and will thus be less marketable.

Also he has only had 14 seniour fights, in my oppinion he should opperate at this level till the commonwealf games, the problem with Bejing is that he can't be sure of winning gold, who knows who will come out of Cuba

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 30 Sep 2004, 12:25

I don't think Khan turning pro (with whoever) would be such a bad move even though he is so young, i mean some people (hate to pick on Woodhall again but....) are being very presumptious about his Olympic chances. "He should stay amateur, win the gold medal and then turn pro"....oh well that's okay then

If it is that easy though, four years is a long time in any sport, who is to say that another prodigy will not be coming along by then or Khan may pick up an unfortunate injury before or during the games. Then where does that leave him? The gold medal is far from a certainty remember.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 30 Sep 2004, 14:03

i agree with that, on the counter side though, Khan has only just started at senior level, and despite his talent has little experience of fighting against grown men aside from his olympic experience he has virtually none. Another couple of years in the amateurs, or even one more year might do him good. I think a move if he wins the worlds would be a good time.

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 30 Sep 2004, 15:53

Looks like it he be going after all

http://www.thisisbolton.co.uk/lancashir ... STOP1.html

theguru · Post by **theguru** » 30 Sep 2004, 15:53

I see my reply has been removed goet some balls people

Lefthookhappy19 · Post by **Lefthookhappy19** » 30 Sep 2004, 17:23

stujones wrote:If I was Khan and wanted to turn pro, I would probably consider Warren first.

I mean, look at Kevin Mitchell's development, no one would say that 17 year old Khan would be pushed too quickly as some people fear a pro move could create.

Khan could beat up Mitchell's opponents now.

Khan would beat Kevin Mitchell right now never mind his opponents, Mitchells opponents can hardly be called boxers, they're just guys who are acting as punch bags for extra money. Khan KO1 Mitchell.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 30 Sep 2004, 18:32

steve689 wrote:I don't think Khan turning pro (with whoever) would be such a bad move even though he is so young, i mean some people (hate to pick on Woodhall again but....) are being very presumptious about his Olympic chances. "He should stay amateur, win the gold medal and then turn pro"....oh well that's okay then If it is that easy though, four years is a long time in any sport, who is to say that another prodigy will not be coming along by then or Khan may pick up an unfortunate injury before or during the games. Then where does that leave him? The gold medal is far from a certainty remember.

Very true, had he got the gold this time I wouldn't have advised him to continue at amateur. However, whilst his market value is huge at the moment the word "Gold medalist" would make his market value explode.

Its a HUGE risk and a major dilemena, I just think given his age its a risk (staying amateur) thats worth taking.

I mean he's on £70,000 a year, that cushions the risk.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 01 Oct 2004, 04:50

As bad as it would be for british boxing if he turns pro I think he'd be better doing it across the pond. Look how they develop their olympic talent, then compare that with the way he would be fed chump fodder by SN. Leagues apart.

Nightmare Roy · Post by **Nightmare Roy** » 01 Oct 2004, 06:09

I'm assuming Amir like most boxers isn't from the wealthiest of backgrounds, so who could blame him if he turned pro, imagine the fee he'd get just for signing let alone fighting. It would be well into six figures i imagine. Personally i think staying amature would be in his best interests as he would be fighting better opposition in the imediate future, but money talks and if someone dangles a big enough carrot it will be impossible to turn down.

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 01 Oct 2004, 06:30

it is a tough choice

£70k p.a. sounds like a lot, but it has to cover all his travel and other expenses. it does not leave a huge amount to live on. That being said, it is a positive step from the amateur game to keep its brightest star and you have to acknowledge that

On the other hand, while there may be a whacking great signing on fee ( I heard c£450k) it wont mean a thing if he jumps up too quickly, has a short career and ends up burned out by his mid 20's

IMHO, I think he would be better getting another 2 years of growth and experience and then coming into the pro game at 19/20

Slapsie

Nightmare Roy · Post by **Nightmare Roy** » 01 Oct 2004, 09:21

Slapsie Maxie wrote:
On the other hand, while there may be a whacking great signing on fee ( I heard c£450k)

£450

If thats true he'd be a mug not to take it, remember there is no guarantee of him winning a medal in China let alone gold and if he doesn't his value will have dwinddled dramatically.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Oct 2004, 09:33

Slapsie Maxie wrote:it is a tough choice

£70k p.a. sounds like a lot, but it has to cover all his travel and other expenses. it does not leave a huge amount to live on. That being said, it is a positive step from the amateur game to keep its brightest star and you have to acknowledge that

On the other hand, while there may be a whacking great signing on fee ( I heard c£450k) it wont mean a thing if he jumps up too quickly, has a short career and ends up burned out by his mid 20's

IMHO, I think he would be better getting another 2 years of growth and experience and then coming into the pro game at 19/20

Slapsie

Right now I would give my right nut for 70k a year, however compared to what he can earn as a professional it's peanuts.

However, what if he comes a cropper in one of this early pro bouts, due to lack of experience? What then?

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 01 Oct 2004, 09:49

Go here and you can listen to what Lennox Lewis says about it. He reckons he should stay Amatuer to.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/default.stm

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 01 Oct 2004, 10:01

well, £70k is a lot of money, but once all the training and accom costs are taken out and the taxman takes his cut, it would pale against a big signing on fee

I take the point about losing early on and what that does to his marketability, but I still think that a chunk of money in the bank is a good parachute

Slapsie

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 01 Oct 2004, 10:10

I seem to be pretty much split.

Without question Khan would have the whole country behind him for the world championships and another Olympic campaign. If he won the gold in Beijing he'd be in a much better position than he is now. Stronger, 4 years more experienced against the best amateurs around, and holding Olympic champion status.

But I can't deny to myself how great it would be also if Khan kicked off his pro career right now, with allegedly. Having the biggest name in British boxing fighting on Sky TV would make a significant difference IMO. And it's very unlikely that we'd see Amir taken down the Hatton route, he's way, way too talented for that.