Amir Khan is one of the most exciting boxers of his generation. Known for his incredible hand speed and bravery, his career has been full of thrilling moments. From a young Olympic star to a world champion, Khan has faced some of the biggest names in boxing. His journey inside the ring is a story of great victories and tough lessons. This article looks at the ten fights that truly defined the career of Amir Khan.
1. Amir Khan vs. Mario Kindelan (2004 Olympics Final)
This fight was not professional, but it was crucial. At just 17 years old, Amir Khan reached the Olympic final in Athens. He faced Mario Kindelan, a legendary Cuban boxer who was undefeated for years. Khan fought with amazing skill and courage. Though he lost a close decision, he won a silver medal. This performance made him a national hero in Britain and a star overnight. It showed the world that a special talent had arrived. This fight set the stage for his professional career.
2. Amir Khan vs. Breidis Prescott (2008)
This match is remembered for a shocking result. Amir Khan was a rising star with an undefeated record. He was expected to win easily against Breidis Prescott. However, in less than a minute, Prescott knocked Khan out. It was a stunning defeat. This loss forced Khan to reevaluate his career. He changed his training team and moved to the United States to work with famous trainer Freddie Roach. This fight, though a loss, was a major turning point. It taught him a hard lesson about the dangers of the sport and made him a more focused fighter.
3. Amir Khan vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (2009)
Facing a legend like Marco Antonio Barrera was a huge test for Amir Khan. Barrera was a multiple world champion and a future Hall of Famer. Khan needed to prove that the Prescott loss was a fluke. He dominated the fight from the start. His speed was too much for the older Barrera. The fight was stopped in the fifth round due to a cut on Barrera’s head. This big win put Khan back on the path to a world title. It proved he could compete with the best in the world.
4. Amir Khan vs. Andriy Kotelnik (2009)
This was the night Amir Khan achieved his dream. He fought Andriy Kotelnik for the WBA light welterweight world title. In front of a home crowd in Manchester, Khan delivered a masterful performance. He used his boxing skills and speed to win a clear unanimous decision over 12 rounds. At 22 years old, he became one of Britain’s youngest world champions. This victory was the culmination of all his hard work since the Olympics. It marked his arrival as a true world champion.
5. Amir Khan vs. Marcos Maidana (2010)
Many call this one of the best fights of the decade. Amir Khan defended his title against the powerful Marcos Maidana. Khan started brilliantly, knocking Maidana down in the first round with a powerful body shot. It looked like an easy night. But Maidana showed incredible toughness and fought back. In the tenth round, Maidana hurt Khan badly with a huge right hand. For the rest of the round, Khan was in serious trouble. He showed immense heart and survived the storm. He went on to win a close decision. This fight proved Khan had a champion’s courage.
6. Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah (2011)
This was a unification fight, with Khan’s WBA title and Judah’s IBF title on the line. Zab Judah was a former undisputed welterweight champion and a tricky opponent. Amir Khan put on a nearly perfect performance. He was faster, sharper, and stronger. In the fifth round, Khan landed a powerful body shot that sent Judah to the canvas. Judah could not get up, and Khan won by knockout. Unifying the titles established him as the top fighter in the 140-pound division.
7. Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson (2011)
This fight is one of the most controversial of Khan’s career. He traveled to Peterson’s hometown of Washington, D.C., to defend his titles. The fight was an intense, back-and-forth battle. Khan was deducted two points by the referee for pushing, which was a very unusual penalty. These deductions proved critical. Khan lost a very close split decision. The controversy surrounding the referee and the scorecards left a sour taste. A planned rematch was canceled after Peterson failed a drug test.
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8. Amir Khan vs. Danny Garcia (2012)
Looking to bounce back, Amir Khan faced another tough champion in Danny Garcia. Khan was the favorite and was winning the fight early. His speed was giving Garcia problems. In the third round, however, Khan got caught with a powerful left hook that changed everything. He was knocked down hard. He bravely got up but was never the same. Garcia continued to land heavy shots, and the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round. This was a devastating loss for Khan and a major setback in his career.
9. Amir Khan vs. Canelo Alvarez (2016)
In his most ambitious move, Amir Khan jumped up two weight classes to challenge superstar Canelo Alvarez for the middleweight title. It was a classic case of speed versus power. For the first few rounds, Khan’s strategy worked perfectly. He was using his fast hands and quick feet to outbox Canelo. He was winning the fight on the scorecards. But everyone knew the danger Canelo’s power posed. In the sixth round, Canelo landed one perfect, massive right hand. Khan was knocked out instantly in dramatic fashion. While a loss, it showed Khan’s willingness to fight anyone.
10. Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook (2022)
This fight was years in the making. It was a huge domestic rivalry between two of Britain’s best fighters of their era. The buildup was intense, with a lot of bad blood between Amir Khan and Kell Brook. By the time they finally fought, both were past their prime. However, the event was still massive. From the start, Brook was the stronger fighter. He hurt Khan early and often. Khan showed his usual courage but could not handle Brook’s power. The referee stopped the fight in the sixth round. Khan announced his retirement from boxing shortly after, ending a remarkable career.
