Career Timeline of Amir Khan (boxer): Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Amir Khan (boxer), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Amir Khan is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2022. He gained prominence at the 2004 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the lightweight division, becoming Britain's youngest boxing Olympic medalist at 17. Turning professional in 2005, he was named ESPN prospect of the year in 2007. Khan became one of the youngest British professional world champions, securing the WBA title at 22.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: Gold at the 2003 Junior Olympics

In 2003, Amir Khan achieved gold at the Junior Olympics as part of his early boxing accomplishments.

2004: Khan raises money for Indian Ocean Tsunami victims

After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Amir Khan was among those who raised money for the victims. He has supported various charitable and community causes over the years.

2004: Silver Medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics

During the 2004 Summer Olympics, Amir Khan won a silver medal in the lightweight division. At 17, he became Britain's youngest boxing Olympic medalist.

2004: Qualified for 2004 Summer Olympics

In 2004, Amir Khan qualified for the Summer Olympics by finishing first at the AIBA European Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He also won a silver medal at the Athens Games, becoming Britain's youngest Olympic boxer since 1976.

2004: Gold at the 2004 European Student Championships

In early 2004, Amir Khan won a gold medal at the European Student Championships in Lithuania. Later in 2004 he won a world junior lightweight title in South Korea.

July 2005: Professional Debut against David Bailey in July 2005

In July 2005, Amir Khan made his professional boxing debut against David Bailey, drawing 4.4 million viewers on ITV.

2005: Amir Khan avenged losses by beating Mario Kindelan in 2005

In 2005, Amir Khan avenged his previous two losses by defeating Mario Kindelan in Kindelan's last amateur fight.

2005: Turning Professional in 2005

In 2005, Amir Khan transitioned into professional boxing.

July 2007: Won Commonwealth Lightweight Champion on July 14, 2007

On July 14, 2007, Amir Khan secured the Commonwealth lightweight title by defeating Willie Limond at The O2 Arena. Khan recovered from a knockdown to win after Limond's corner stopped the fight due to a broken nose and suspected jaw damage.

2007: Won Commonwealth Lightweight Title

In 2007, Khan won the Commonwealth lightweight title.

February 2008: Khan vs. St. Clair in February 2008

In February 2008, Amir Khan was originally scheduled to fight Martin Kristjansen, but due to Kristjansen's illness, Khan instead defended his Commonwealth title against Gairy St. Clair. Khan won via unanimous decision, marking his first fight to last all twelve rounds.

April 2008: Khan Beats Kristjansen in April 2008

On April 5, 2008, Amir Khan defeated Martin Kristjansen by TKO, leading to Khan becoming the number one contender for the WBO lightweight title.

June 2008: Khan vs Gomez

On June 21, 2008, Amir Khan fought Michael Gomez at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, winning via TKO. Despite being knocked down himself, Khan secured the victory.

September 2008: Loss to Breidis Prescott in September 2008

On September 6, 2008, Amir Khan faced Breidis Prescott and lost via TKO in the first round. The fight was Khan's Sky Box Office debut.

December 2008: Comeback Win Against Oisin Fagan in December 2008

In December 2008, Amir Khan made a comeback after his loss to Prescott, with a second-round stoppage victory against Oisin Fagan. Khan won the vacant WBA International lightweight title.

March 2009: Defeated Marco Antonio Barrera in March 2009

On March 14, 2009, Amir Khan defeated Marco Antonio Barrera by technical decision. The fight was stopped in the fifth round due to a cut suffered by Barrera, with Khan ahead on all scorecards. Khan defended his WBA International lightweight title and won the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title.

April 2009: Move to Light-Welterweight Division in April 2009

On April 8, 2009, it was announced that Amir Khan would move up to the light-welterweight division to fight Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA light-welterweight title. Khan expressed excitement about fighting for the world title at a young age. Khan won by unanimous decision, becoming the third-youngest Brit to win a world title.

October 2009: Khan vs. Salita Fight Confirmation in October 2009

On October 6, 2009, Frank Warren confirmed that Amir Khan would defend his WBA light-welterweight title against Dmitry Salita on December 5. The fight gained media attention due to the religious backgrounds of the fighters.

December 2009: Khan Defeats Salita in December 2009

On December 5, 2009, Amir Khan defeated Dmitry Salita by TKO in the first round. Salita was knocked down three times, resulting in the first loss of his career.

2009: Announced Fight Against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2009

In early 2009, it was announced that Amir Khan would fight Marco Antonio Barrera. Despite lobbying for a world title eliminator status, the fight was not granted the world-title status.

January 2010: Split with Frank Warren in January 2010

In January 2010, Amir Khan announced his split with promoter Frank Warren and signed a deal with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions.

March 2010: Khan vs. Malignaggi Press Conference in March 2010

In March 2010, Golden Boy Promotions confirmed that Amir Khan and Paulie Malignaggi would hold a press conference to announce their world title bout set for May 15. Khan retained his title after the referee stopped the fight in the eleventh round. Malignaggi acknowledged that he lost to a better fighter.

May 2010: US Debut Against Paulie Malignaggi

In May 2010, Amir Khan made his US debut against Paulie Malignaggi, retaining his WBA light-welterweight title.

August 2010: Maidana to fight DeMarcus Corley

In August 2010, after failing to secure a fight with Timothy Bradley, Marcos Maidana's camp announced that he would fight former WBO light-welterweight champion DeMarcus Corley on August 28, 2010, at the Luna Park Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

February 2011: Khan Announces Fight Against Paul McCloskey

In February 2011, Amir Khan announced that he had signed a deal to defend his WBA title against European champion Paul McCloskey in his next fight, who was unbeaten in 22 fights and was ranked world number 10.

May 2011: Khan Agrees to Fight Zab Judah

In May 2011, Amir Khan agreed to fight Zab Judah in an attempt to unify the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in Las Vegas on July 23. This decision followed Khan's dissatisfaction with the inability to secure a fight with Timothy Bradley.

October 2011: Khan to Defend Title Against Lamont Peterson

In October 2011, it was announced that Amir Khan would defend his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles against mandatory challenger Lamont Peterson on December 10 in Peterson's hometown of Washington, D.C.

2011: Won IBF Light-Welterweight Title

In 2011, Khan secured the IBF light-welterweight title by defeating Zab Judah via knockout.

2011: Klitschko vs Haye fight earnings

In 2011, the Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye fight was a high earning fight.

May 2012: Khan to Fight Danny García

In May 2012, it was announced that Amir Khan would fight against undefeated WBC champion Danny García. Leading up to the fight, Danny García's father and trainer, Angel García, made disparaging comments about Khan's race and religion.

July 2012: Lost WBA (Super) Light Welterweight Title

In July 2012, Khan lost the WBA (Super) light welterweight title against Danny Garcia.

December 2012: Khan to Fight Carlos Molina After Splitting with Roach

In December 2012, after splitting with trainer Freddie Roach, Amir Khan fought against undefeated lightweight prospect Carlos Molina in his first fight under new trainer Virgil Hunter. The fight took place on December 15, 2012, in the LA Sports Arena in California.

April 2013: Khan Victorious Against Julio Díaz in UK Bout

In April 2013, Amir Khan returned to the UK to fight against Julio Díaz on April 27, 2013, at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield. Despite a fourth-round knockdown, Khan secured a win by unanimous decision.

September 2013: Khan plans to invest in banqueting hall in Bolton

In September 2013, Amir Khan announced his plans to invest £5 million into a wedding and banqueting hall in Washington Street, Deane, aiming to 'make Bolton better'.

December 2013: Khan hosts fundraising dinner for Islamic Relief's Philippines Appeal

In December 2013, Amir Khan hosted a fundraising dinner to support Islamic Relief's Philippines Appeal in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, raising £83,400.

May 2014: Khan to Fight Luis Collazo on Mayweather-Maidana Undercard

In May 2014, after Floyd Mayweather announced he would fight Marcos Maidana, Amir Khan decided to fight Luis Collazo on the undercard on May 3, 2014, at the MGM Grand Las Vegas for the vacant WBA International welterweight title, WBA title eliminator, and vacant WBC Silver title. Khan won by unanimous decision.

2014: Won WBA International and Vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Titles

In 2014, Amir Khan defeated Luis Collazo to win the WBA International and vacant WBC Silver welterweight titles.

2014: Khan earned 15 million dollars

In 2014, Amir Khan earned $15 million, making him the sixth highest-earning boxer that year.

2014: Khan Targets Devon Alexander or Robert Guerrero for Next Fight

In 2014, Amir Khan looked to fight one more time that year, targeting Devon Alexander or Robert Guerrero. He eventually fought Devon Alexander on December 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

May 2015: Khan Wins by UD Against Chris Algieri

In May 2015, Amir Khan faced Chris Algieri in a welterweight bout on May 29, 2015, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and won by unanimous decision. Khan later called out Mayweather after his victory.

May 2016: Khan to Face Canelo Álvarez

In May 2016, Amir Khan moved up two weight divisions to middleweight to fight Canelo Álvarez for the WBC, The Ring, and lineal middleweight titles. The fight took place on May 7, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

2016: Khan named co-owner of India's Super Fight League

In 2016, Amir Khan was named co-owner of India's Super Fight League (SFL). He announced that he, along with Super Fight League, would introduce India's first team-based MMA league.

2016: Khan's earnings from Canelo fight

In 2016, Amir Khan's earnings from the Canelo fight was an estimated £9 million ($13.1 million), the highest for a British boxer since Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye in 2011.

2016: Challenged for WBC and Ring Middleweight Titles

In 2016, Khan challenged for the WBC and The Ring middleweight titles.

February 2017: Khan and Pacquiao Reportedly Reach Deal for Super Fight

In February 2017, Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao both tweeted that a deal had been reached between both camps for a 'super fight' potentially worth £30 million to take place on April 23 in the United Arab Emirates.

2017: Khan and Bill Dosanjh found Super Boxing League

In 2017, Amir Khan and Bill Dosanjh founded Super Boxing League (SBL) after the Super Fight League's first season, aiming to popularize professional boxing in India.

January 2018: Khan Signs Three-Fight Deal with Matchroom Sport

In January 2018, Amir Khan signed a three-fight deal with Eddie Hearn at Matchroom Sport. A brawl broke out at the press conference with Phil Lo Greco after Lo Greco made comments about Khan's personal life.

September 2018: Khan defeats Vargas by unanimous decision

In September 2018, Amir Khan defeated Samuel Vargas by unanimous decision with scores of 119–108, 119–109 and 118–110. Khan knocked Vargas down twice, while Vargas also managed to drop Khan once during the fight. The fight set a viewership record for UK subscription television in boxing history.

December 2018: Top Rank offers Khan a fight against Terence Crawford

In December 2018, Top Rank offered Amir Khan a guaranteed $5 million purse plus a percentage of PPV revenue to fight Terence Crawford.

2018: Khan announces the building of Amir Khan Academy in Islamabad

In 2018, Amir Khan announced that he was building a boxing academy called the Amir Khan Academy in Islamabad to train Pakistani amateur boxers competing at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

January 2019: Khan vs Crawford fight becomes official

In January 2019, the fight between Amir Khan and Terence Crawford was officially set to take place at Madison Square Garden on April 20. Khan stated that winning a world title against Crawford would be a bigger achievement than defeating Kell Brook.

March 2019: Khan set to fight Terence Crawford in New York

In March 2019, it was announced that Amir Khan would fight Terence Crawford on April 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The fight would be broadcast on ESPN PPV, with BT Sport Box Office acquiring UK broadcasting rights.

July 2019: Khan defeats Billy Dib to win WBC International Welterweight Title

In July 2019, Amir Khan defeated Billy Dib by technical knockout in the fourth round in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to win the vacant WBC International welterweight title.

July 2019: Won Vacant WBC International Welterweight Title

In July 2019, Khan secured the vacant WBC International welterweight title by beating Billy Dib via TKO.

March 2021: Khan announces his first signing for Khan Promotions

In March 2021, Amir Khan officially announced his first-ever signing, Tal Singh, to his boxing promotion company, Khan Promotions.

February 2022: Khan defeated by Kell Brook

In February 2022, Amir Khan was defeated by Kell Brook with a sixth-round technical knockout in a 149-pound catchweight bout at Manchester’s AO Arena.