khan wanting to represent pakistan at the olympics

[gashsafc]

If he was happy enough to box for Britain last time out why the sudden change of heart?

[lefty]

It could just be a case of wanting to represent both countries. Also he'd probably have a better shot at representing Pakistan than GB at this stage because the GB set up probably won't want any Pro's representing them but rather the amateur talent they have groomed on the way up.

[Rexob]

If he was happy enough to box for Britain last time out why the sudden change of heart?

I thought he had Pakistani heritage? Nothing wrong with wanting to represent his other country. Good idea, imagine all that untapped potential out there a great business sense.

[Reece_D]

Would also pretty much rule out the Danny Garcia rematch as the WBC have stated a 2 year ban to any professional who takes part at the Olympics.

[Anzi]

Pacman was going to represent his country in the Olympics, but he has now decided to focus on his political career.
Can't see this working. Just because the Amateur governing body says it is ok. The pro governing have got to agree as well. Pros have contracts with managers and promoters, who also have to agree and the pros have too many governing bodies, America the capital of pro boxing, alone have many, plus the pros apparently have to qualify for the Olympics, maybe by fighting each other for free and will also have to take Olympic style drug tests. Will the Pro trainers be allowed in the corners for their fighters ? doubt it.

[Rexob]

Pacman was going to represent his country in the Olympics, but he has now decided to focus on his political career.Can't see this working. Just because the Amateur governing body says it is ok. The pro governing have got to agree as well. Pros have contracts with managers and promoters, who also have to agree and the pros have too many governing bodies, America the capital of pro boxing, alone have many, plus the pros apparently have to qualify for the Olympics, maybe by fighting each other for free and will also have to take Olympic style drug tests. Will the Pro trainers be allowed in the corners for their fighters ? doubt it.

Makes me laugh, that he is doing this, didn't he have a massive tax bill he couldn't pay? Now he is in the running to look after his country's finances comical really.

[jamesmcdonnell]

If he was happy enough to box for Britain last time out why the sudden change of heart?

Why not, his prerogative, he is from Pakistani family, what's the problem? He won a medal for Britain, he'd like to win one for Pakistan.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Pacman was going to represent his country in the Olympics, but he has now decided to focus on his political career.
Can't see this working. Just because the Amateur governing body says it is ok. The pro governing have got to agree as well. Pros have contracts with managers and promoters, who also have to agree and the pros have too many governing bodies, America the capital of pro boxing, alone have many, plus the pros apparently have to qualify for the Olympics, maybe by fighting each other for free and will also have to take Olympic style drug tests. Will the Pro trainers be allowed in the corners for their fighters ? doubt it.

Does a promoters contract cover amateur boxing though, as it is non-commercial?

[magwitch]

If he was happy enough to box for Britain last time out why the sudden change of heart?

Why not, his prerogative, he is from Pakistani family, what's the problem? He won a medal for Britain, he'd like to win one for Pakistan.

What’s the problem? The problem (and I’m responding to some probable throw-away remark, IF there even was one) is that, most people I would assume, would think you don’t represent one country at an Olympics and then change vests as it suits! Might as well have turned around in 2004 Final and said, right, cheers UK but tonight Matthew I’m boxing for Pakistan........or maybe Usain Bolt could run for Jamaica on Tuesday in the 100 then compete for Germany on Sunday in the 200. It leaves a sour taste frankly as it cheapens the whole idea of an Olympics.

By the way....Khan is on a massive media/ business/ personal tour of Pakistan - I only know as I liked his page two weeks ago and it’s showing several pics a day.......I’m assuming that every reporter that gets near him is going for some “popular story” and I’m sure his Pakistani-ness is a big topic....I’m happy for Pakistan and his thousands of fans there to get a piece of the excitement, the lad is dual-heritage after all.

[Anzi]

Pacman was going to represent his country in the Olympics, but he has now decided to focus on his political career.
Can't see this working. Just because the Amateur governing body says it is ok. The pro governing have got to agree as well. Pros have contracts with managers and promoters, who also have to agree and the pros have too many governing bodies, America the capital of pro boxing, alone have many, plus the pros apparently have to qualify for the Olympics, maybe by fighting each other for free and will also have to take Olympic style drug tests. Will the Pro trainers be allowed in the corners for their fighters ? doubt it.

Does a promoters contract cover amateur boxing though, as it is non-commercial?

It covers fighting full stop, do you think a pro can do MMA fights without permission from his Promoter and Manager ? The same with Amateur boxing fights. The Pro boxer can get injured, hurt or even lose, he could have his career ended. It makes no difference Am or Pro.

[Anzi]

Pacman was going to represent his country in the Olympics, but he has now decided to focus on his political career.Can't see this working. Just because the Amateur governing body says it is ok. The pro governing have got to agree as well. Pros have contracts with managers and promoters, who also have to agree and the pros have too many governing bodies, America the capital of pro boxing, alone have many, plus the pros apparently have to qualify for the Olympics, maybe by fighting each other for free and will also have to take Olympic style drug tests. Will the Pro trainers be allowed in the corners for their fighters ? doubt it.

Makes me laugh, that he is doing this, didn't he have a massive tax bill he couldn't pay? Now he is in the running to look after his country's finances comical really.

In this world people vote for you because you are a celeb, a sports star rather then if you are the right man for the job.

[Anzi]

Pro boxers will have to enter qualifiers, in just 4 weeks in Venezuela, 5 bouts in a week . If we were talking 3 months to the qualifiers, it could be more possible to attract top pros, but 4 weeks ? Can't see GB choosing pros to join them and now with the WBC banning pros who go to the Olympics, as will other sanctioning bodies, I would assume that will affect the pro's decision, because it is all about money, at the end of the day ?

[Autobarn]

Very weird to go from pro back to amateur, even for the Olympics.

Like giving up your job to do A levels full time again.

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

He isn't actually going to fight in the Olympics (for any country) he was clearly just doing a bit of local media in Pakistan.

[Nightmare Roy]

Madness that pros can fight in the Olympics full stop IMO.

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

Isn't Amir also the face behind companies promoting MMA in Dubai?

Can't knock him for it. Amir has always followed the $$$ business route from the amateur days when avoiding Jamie Cox who could/would have derailed the train before it left the station

[Kalan]

Another clever way for Khan to avoid Kell Brook... Errol Spence... Keith Thrman... and Shawn Porter

[magwitch]

Very weird to go from pro back to amateur, even for the Olympics.

Like giving up your job to do A levels full time again.

I agree it's a lot of complete and utter horse-sh*t and a disgrace isn't it. It all just smacks of money. F*ck the IOC.
You've got the squash players who play one of the most physically demanding games you could ever invent and year after year they get the snub....this time so that professional boxers can go back to fighting far less experienced fighters. It's a total fcking embarrassment. That word sums it up perfectly for me.

[magwitch]

Pro boxers will have to enter qualifiers, in just 4 weeks in Venezuela, 5 bouts in a week . If we were talking 3 months to the qualifiers, it could be more possible to attract top pros, but 4 weeks ? Can't see GB choosing pros to join them and now with the WBC banning pros who go to the Olympics, as will other sanctioning bodies, I would assume that will affect the pro's decision, because it is all about money, at the end of the day ?

oh is that right? I didn't know... makes the sport look a complete and utter mess.

Read an interesting comment by Mike Tyson last week. He was doing some work in Thailand or China I believe and he said that some of these pro's will not be used to fighting at the amateur pace and that some of these pros were going to get beat, and shown up.
Tyson said in his day the amateurs were like lightning - they still are. I thought that was a very interesting comment by Tyson......previously I just had visions of GGG beating up kids, but Tyson could have a point..... still farcical either way .

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Another clever way for Khan to avoid Kell Brook... Errol Spence... Keith Thrman... and Shawn Porter

Yes, that's EXACTLY what this interview was about.....


*sighs*

[Anzi]

Pro boxers will have to enter qualifiers, in just 4 weeks in Venezuela, 5 bouts in a week . If we were talking 3 months to the qualifiers, it could be more possible to attract top pros, but 4 weeks ? Can't see GB choosing pros to join them and now with the WBC banning pros who go to the Olympics, as will other sanctioning bodies, I would assume that will affect the pro's decision, because it is all about money, at the end of the day ?

oh is that right? I didn't know... makes the sport look a complete and utter mess.

Read an interesting comment by Mike Tyson last week. He was doing some work in Thailand or China I believe and he said that some of these pro's will not be used to fighting at the amateur pace and that some of these pros were going to get beat, and shown up.
Tyson said in his day the amateurs were like lightning - they still are. I thought that was a very interesting comment by Tyson......previously I just had visions of GGG beating up kids, but Tyson could have a point..... still farcical either way .

Yes and the Pros have 4 weeks to adjust sparring and training for the shorter, quicker concept. Team GB have refused to invite any pros, that's why Amir Khan has maybe decided to represent Pakistan. Can't see the big countries inviting pros to fight for them, when they have spent so much money and time on their elite Amateurs.

[jimcook]

lets face it, khan would represent north korea in the olympics if it put some money in his pocket. i suppose audley harrison will be up in his loft looking out his old training kit too. olympics has become a total farce. billions spent lining the pockets of the rich and powerful. and the tax payer picks up the bill. same for the boxers.....what up and coming young hopeful is gonna lose his shot at the dream because some old vain rich guy like mayweather fancies another paragraph in his "legacy"

[freddydoesdallas]

If he was happy enough to box for Britain last time out why the sudden change of heart?

Why not, his prerogative, he is from Pakistani family, what's the problem? He won a medal for Britain, he'd like to win one for Pakistan.

What’s the problem? The problem (and I’m responding to some probable throw-away remark, IF there even was one) is that, most people I would assume, would think you don’t represent one country at an Olympics and then change vests as it suits! Might as well have turned around in 2004 Final and said, right, cheers UK but tonight Matthew I’m boxing for Pakistan........or maybe Usain Bolt could run for Jamaica on Tuesday in the 100 then compete for Germany on Sunday in the 200. It leaves a sour taste frankly as it cheapens the whole idea of an Olympics.

By the way....Khan is on a massive media/ business/ personal tour of Pakistan - I only know as I liked his page two weeks ago and it’s showing several pics a day.......I’m assuming that every reporter that gets near him is going for some “popular story” and I’m sure his Pakistani-ness is a big topic....I’m happy for Pakistan and his thousands of fans there to get a piece of the excitement, the lad is dual-heritage after all.

It's happened before in other Olympic sports. Fiona may was a British long jumper who went to Barcelona Olympics then went to the atlanta games representing Italy. I'm certain there are plenty of others but that sticks in my mind

[mickey1975]

A lot of good pros will get turned over.

[bripez]

The Olympics changed for me when Magic Johnson and his basketball mates joined in the fun - we also have top tennis and golf stars now competing.

Going back to Khan, it isn't the first time he has suggested this - just before Athens the GB selectors refused to send him to any qualifying tournaments as they thought that he was too young (not sure if he had any/many senior bouts at that time).

Despite being on the funding and training programme he threatened to qualify via Pakistan if GB did not send him to any qualifiers - in the end he went, qualified and was proved right.

I do think that being the only boxer to qualify, being so young, of Asian heritage and GB lack of boxing medals etc. all came together at the right time and he benefited massively from that - much more so than if he had won a medal boxing for Pakistan.