BoxRec

Amir Khan believes "there is no doubt" that he would have struck gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics had he not turned professional last year.

The 19-year-old lightweight, from Bolton, who claimed silver in Athens two years ago, said: "If I had stayed amateur I would definitely have won the 2008 Olympics. If I had gone to Beijing, there is no doubt I definitely would have won the gold medal easily.

"I was only 17 in Athens but now I'm stronger and physically and mentally getting better as a fighter. I don't think there would have been any doubt that I would have won the gold medal."

Khan, who has set his sights on becoming a world champion after winning all eight of his fights since turning professional, added: "I could be a professional champion by the time the Olympics come around and that was the chance we decided to take.

"I know I can win a world title and if I do that before the 2008 Olympics it will prove it was the right decision (to go professional). I know I can do it. It's 2006 now and I can easily win a world title within two years."

Khan hopes to take on former amateur opponent Craig Watson in his next fight at the Bolton Arena on September 2.

What exactly is the point of him coming out and saying that??

Maybe it's playing on his mind that he has'nt got an olympic gold medal...

He would have stood a good chance of claiming a medal of course,but then again it only takes one punch to get ko'ed,or a bit of dodgy scoring(something I expect in Beijing)

Still,yet again,I don't see the point of him coming out and saying it.
I don't hear any other pro,or recall any other pro coming out and saying they would bag an olympic gold if they were still amateur.....seem's a bit strange.

A definite gold in the Olympics.
He couldn't even handle the ABA'S

The more Khan opens his mouth, the less I like him.

exceptional level of hubris

Slapsie

I bet Roy Jones Jnr, Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, Duane Bobick etc all thought they were 'nailed on certainties' for Gold medals in years gone by too.

funny things happen in amateur tournaments. Who is to say a tough, hradheaded 28 yr old Bulgarian wouldnt have egded Khan out, or the latest hot-shot from Cuba for that matter?

He stood a good chance of medalling, but to say anything more at this stage is unrealistic.

emma wrote:Amir Khan believes "there is no doubt" that he would have struck gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics had he not turned professional last year.

The 19-year-old lightweight, from Bolton, who claimed silver in Athens two years ago, said: "If I had stayed amateur I would definitely have won the 2008 Olympics. If I had gone to Beijing, there is no doubt I definitely would have won the gold medal easily.

"I was only 17 in Athens but now I'm stronger and physically and mentally getting better as a fighter. I don't think there would have been any doubt that I would have won the gold medal."

Khan, who has set his sights on becoming a world champion after winning all eight of his fights since turning professional, added: "I could be a professional champion by the time the Olympics come around and that was the chance we decided to take.

"I know I can win a world title and if I do that before the 2008 Olympics it will prove it was the right decision (to go professional). I know I can do it. It's 2006 now and I can easily win a world title within two years."

Khan hopes to take on former amateur opponent Craig Watson in his next fight at the Bolton Arena on September 2.

Hmm, there seems to be a little bit of complacency here, Khan really is fighting in a whole different world from the rarified atmosphere of world titles right now. Imagine him in with Martin Castillo.

Khan's having laugh. I can only presume he had his head was so far up his own arse that he lost sight of what winning an Olympic gold medal takes....not that he would know.

jamesmcdonnell wrote: Hmm, there seems to be a little bit of complacency here, Khan really is fighting in a whole different world from the rarified atmosphere of world titles right now. Imagine him in with Martin Castillo.

Castillo is a bit undersized dont you think? The again, SN matchmaking being as it is, maybe this will be the way they go with Khan

How about Khan versus the 22yrs olf 'Baby Bull' Jaun Diaz?

He performs on the Vargas - Mosely undercard this wkend. Diaz is a good class young world champ - I wonder how our wonderkid would fair in his company?..

It sound's like he is starting to beleive his own hype...

That's what happens when a 19yr old is topping the bill in big arenas,disposing of no-hopers,giving tv interviews,doing charity work,earning vast sums...when he should be living the spartan life,fighting at the bottom of the card,just purely concentrating on his career......

Amir Khan doesn't even know who he would have faced in 2008 so that his a bold statement to make indeed.

Getting a bit big for his boots, 3 threads on Amir says..wouldn't happen to be SN spokesman/woman?

I'm still a bit peeved about his "win" over Kindelan tbh

Well a boxer needs to have self belief. Amir must know hes only as big as his olympic achievements and maybe partly wishes he was a gold medal winner and hopes he can become a world champ within 2years which will show he was right to turn pro. He comes across as foolish and arrogant the way he says it. 'I'm going to be a world champ in 2 years' RIGHT well promise you'll get in the ring with Corrales of Diaz in 2years then - no didn't think so.

Emma are you the same Emma who posts on ESB?

lvlarc_uk wrote:I'm still a bit peeved about his "win" over Kindelan tbh

Where in the UK is Kindelan now living?

Is a bit of a pointless statement. Khan may well be right but ultimately it's like me saying I would have won Heavyweight Gold in 1992 if I had carried on boxing.

As it was they didn't have a smoking and drinking tourament in Barcelona so no medal for Goz!

i agree.
i like amir but this is a foolish statement.
by the way, he should have stayed amateur, i'm now getting fed up saying it

Khan is starting to believe in the FW bullshit. Like other people i am starting to dislike this big head talk. The last fight against Kindelan was a showcase for the TV, when it counts Kindelan beat Khan twice!

For one thing Russian Alexey Tishchenko now boxes at 60kg and would smash Khan into next week!

ABA Boxing wrote:Khan is starting to believe in the FW bullshit. Like other people i am starting to dislike this big head talk. The last fight against Kindelan was a showcase for the TV, when it counts Kindelan beat Khan twice!

For one thing Russian Alexey Tishchenko now boxes at 60kg and would smash Khan into next week!

Your right about the fight with Kindelan.People were talking about revenge and redemption....errrr,from what I gather Khan did'nt take away any medal or title when he 'beat' Kindelan in that horrific media circus of an amateur fight.
Wonder how much Kindelan got for that 'amateur' fight.......

Alot would have depended on Khan's weight. He would have been more mature - but I'm pretty sure he would have been facing bigger blokes also. Light Welterweights, not Super Feathers as he is fighting now.

Also, if he would have made Lightweight - then Frankie Gavin would have given him a few arguments.

Khan needs a reality check.

And some of you may have noticed boxrecs ranking have been changed recently, he is ranked 37 in the world according to the new rankings.

What a crock of shit.

yiddo14 wrote:Wonder how much Kindelan got for that 'amateur' fight.......

Accorfing to some here a lot of money and a UK passport that's why I asked earlier where in the UK was Kindelan living these days as I didn't realise Boxing promoters/managers has such massive influence over the immergration department of the Home Office.

Whats the chance that he will skip the British Title and European Title and go for a World title the WBU

Holding on to this title forever, Proclaiming himself the best in the World!

Perhaps he should have picked up an ABA title first instead of bottling it after he got floored in a bout.... sadly Amir seems to be growing as arrogant as Naz was... I hope Warrens got a good contract on him...

Just had a look at the Amir Khan Fansite OMG!

This is the best

((Amir Khan has revealed he will marry his teenage sweetheart at the end of this year. Amir in a press conference today for his 9th Professional fight which will take place at Bolton Arena on 2nd September revealed the plan which will break the hearts of his army of girl fans. speaking of the wedding he said' I want to be honest with my fans so i decided its best they hear it from me then someone
else.'It will be a traditional pakistan wedding my parents have orginised it as ive been busy with training'. He also said his sweetheart will live with him and his family in their Bolton Mansion.He did not reveal her name but it is believed she is 19 and from Rawpindi.))

There could be a riot!!!

I think 20+ posters on that forum commited suicide!

Im almost afraid to post on that forum incase i am hunted down by the Amir Fans

Iv said it befor I realy wish he had stayed ametre untill the commonwealth insted of the 8 joke fights he has had (no bad feeling to the guys he was in against but no one has been in there to win yet dean step forward) he would have had 2 world championships (which he would have had difficult fights in) and the commonwealth as well as a good few ABA fights. In my opinion he would have been starting from a far better base.

ABA Boxing wrote:Just had a look at the Amir Khan Fansite OMG!

Great topics such as
'Khan smashes Bain in second'

This is the best

((Amir Khan has revealed he will marry his teenage sweetheart at the end of this year. Amir in a press conference today for his 9th Professional fight which will take place at Bolton Arena on 2nd September revealed the plan which will break the hearts of his army of girl fans. speaking of the wedding he said' I want to be honest with my fans so i decided its best they hear it from me then someone
else.'It will be a traditional pakistan wedding my parents have orginised it as ive been busy with training'. He also said his sweetheart will live with him and his family in their Bolton Mansion.He did not reveal her name but it is believed she is 19 and from Rawpindi.))

There could be a riot!!!

I think 20+ posters on that forum commited suicide!

Im almost afraid to post on that forum incase i am hunted down by the Amir Fans

Id take the mick but I used to post on the audley harrison forum.