To those who have been keeping tabs on Amir Khan since his Olympic heroics last August, the news he has decided to turn professional is hardly earth-shattering. Every promoter has been courting the 18-year-old since his silver-medal showing in Athens.
In an Exclusive Interview with AWAAZ, Amir speaks about his career.

How did you feel when you beat Mario Kindelan at the Reebok Stadium?
It was the biggest fight of my career so far. I felt absolutely unbelievable, I had just beaten the best amateur in the whole world and it went some way to erasing my loss to him at the Olympics in Athens. Kindelán’s been a great fighter and they’ve all said he was the best in the world. This time I knew I was boxing Kindelan and I knew his style - we’d been working on it for a long time.

What do you hope to achieve now that you have become a professional boxer?
I want to be the best and the greatest like my hero Mohammed Ali. I was likened to a young Mohammed Ali when I was young which was very flattering! He’s my main hero so it’s good when people say things like that. My ultimate ambition is to be the world champion and to become a boxing legend.

What advise would you give to young British Muslims?
Just Be yourself, work hard, play hard and set yourselves goals in life and try hard to achieve them. Whatever you do always have something to fall back on; I plan to enrol for a university degree in sports science, as I have taken a one-year break from my studies. You never know where you are going to end up and where boxing is going to take you. Too many sportsmen finish their careers with nothing to fall back on. I want to retire from boxing by the time I am 25 or 26 and be a legend by that age. I don’t want to get punched all my life.

Who inspires Amir Khan professionally and personally?
Mohammed Ali for his personality and boxing ability.

What part does Islam play in your life?
I attend mosque as much as I can and pray before every fight. But I keep my faith private.

yourself and Fulham FC’s Zesh Rehman are inspiring young sportsmen - do you think many more young Asians will follow you both soon?
I certainly hope so, and I am sure more Asians in sport will follow in our footsteps in the very near future. There are many talented sports men and women out there. Boxing just gives me a real buzz. It gets you mentally fit and mentally strong and gives you self-discipline.

You went to Istanbul to watch Liverpool play AC Milan - how did you feel on that night in Istanbul?
A lot of people from Liverpool have supported me before, especially when I once had a boxing match there. They made me feel very welcome, so I returned the favour. I felt Fine, just another football fan.

Anything you would like to say to our readers - many of whom are big Amir Khan fans?
Many thanks for all your support since the Olympics and I hope to see you all soon!

Awaaz wishes Amir Khan all the best for his future and future tournaments.