Amir Khan is plotting a dramatic Olympic comeback – for Pakistan – after professional boxers were controversially given permission to compete at Rio 2016.
Khan welcomed Wednesday’s decision by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) at its extraordinary congress in Lausanne, even though other British fighters responded furiously.
The 29-year-old, born and raised in Bolton, shot to fame by winning a silver medal for Great Britain in the lightweight division at the 2004 Olympics before turning professional a year later.
He said last year he would love to “turn it into a gold medal” if pro boxers were given the green light to go to Rio and he revealed on Wednesday that he wanted to do so while representing the country of his parents’ birth. Speaking at a promotional event in Karachi, the former light-welterweight world champion said: “It’s a decision which I welcome.
“It will help boxers, and if I am permitted as per rules and by my promoter then I would love to compete for Pakistan. I will be very happy if I can compete in Olympics. I want to serve Pakistan.”
Khan’s younger brother Haroon represented Pakistan at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where he won flyweight bronze.
But the AIBA denied him permission to fight for the country at London 2012 as he had represented Britain at junior level.
The British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) is not expected to consider the selection of professional fighters in Rio.
Source : Telegraph
Amir Khan To Compete For Pakistan At The Olympics
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