A return to the boxing ring is on the cards for former world champion Amir Khan, following suggestions he could face YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI. Khan, 37, has not fought for two years – since losing to fierce rival Kell Brook.
The 2004 Olympic silver medalist retired after the fight and it was later found that he had failed a doping test for the banned substance ostarine. Khan was handed a two-year suspension by the British Anti-Doping Organization, which defended him by saying he had not knowingly taken the substance.
Khan intended to return and his goal was to face Manny Pacquiao. Khan pushed for a fight with Pacquiao, now 45, in the prime of his career, but it never happened.
However, instead of facing eight-time world champion Pacquiao, Khan’s opponent may be the influential KSI. The 30-year-old is 1-1 as a professional, defeating fellow YouTuber Logan Paul in 2019, before losing on points to Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy last year.
KSI is the founder of the Misfits Boxing promotion, which organizes fights with the participation of Internet personalities. One of them is YouTuber Slim Albaher, who claimed on social media that he was offered a fight with Khan, with the winner getting a chance to fight KSI.
“I was offered Amir Khan. One of the best players from Great Britain who laces up the gloves,” he wrote. “Really [are] They are doing everything in their power to keep me away from KSI.”
If Khan and KSI ever met in the ring, the size difference would be significant. Khan has spent most of his career fighting at welterweight and welterweight, while KSI, who is over two inches taller, has competed at around 180 pounds – between the airy heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions.
In February, Khan revealed that he had returned to training and called on Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh – the author of a series of hit fights organized in the Kingdom over the past 12 months – to arrange a fight with Pacquiao.
“I mean, I do a little training here and there, but the thing is, the only man who can make this fight happen is Turki Alalshikh,” Khan said Sun. “I think Turki Alalshikh can make this fight between me and Manny Pacquiao. Yeah, it’s definitely a fight that will definitely lift my spirits.”
Khan’s defeat to Brook in Manchester in February 2022 is his only fight in the last five years. His last world title victory came in 2011 when he knocked out Zab Judah to unify the IBF and WBA 140-pound titles.