Amir Khan targets Rio Olympics after world middleweight Saul Alvarez clash
Brit boxer takes on Canelo at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 7 but wants to have another go at gold
AMIR KHAN would grab the chance to box in Rio — after toppling world middleweight champ Saul Alvarez.
Khan, 29, scooped lightweight silver at the 2004 Olympics.
He could go one better and strike gold this summer if plans to allow pro boxers to compete alongside amateurs at the Games are approved.
He said: “I’d love to do that — it would be great to represent Great Britain again.
“A lot of people would think it’s a backwards step but you have to remember how much history there is in the Olympics.
“It is the biggest tournament in the world and even some of the top fighters who are world champions didn’t make it there.”
Khan was Britain’s only boxer at the Athens Games — and he has channelled that spirit while preparing for his career-defining clash with Alvarez.
Dad Shah and brother Harry are with him for company at his base in San Francisco’s Bay Area.
But there is no room for distraction away from intense sessions under trainer Virgil Hunter to ensure he is ready to tackle Mexican ‘Canelo’, 25, at a catchweight of 155lb.
Khan added: “My wife and little girl were here but they left before the hard work started.
“It’s like how it used to be when I was an amateur and it is very tough.
“This is what brings the best out of fighters, when you’re focused on what you need to do and it’s your time.”
The Olympics changed Khan’s life and he made his pro debut in July 2005, stopping David Bailey in the first round.
He has not fought on British soil since defeating Julio Diaz in Sheffield three years ago but remains committed to ensuring the sport has a positive impact here, especially in home town Bolton.
Khan said: “Boxing is a sport which changes lives for young kids. It kept me out of trouble, diverted my energy into something positive and kept me off the streets.
“I want people to see the mistakes I made but not make the same ones, and be a good, humble person.
“I get 400-500 kids coming to my Bolton gym weekly. If those kids didn’t have boxing, maybe they’d be doing silly things and getting into trouble.”
Khan already has millions in the bank but is hungry to defeat Alvarez and go down as a boxing great.
He added: “Financially I’m very lucky, but it’s not about the money. For me it’s about securing that legacy.
“This fight is the perfect chance. I’m such an underdog and beating a big name like him will go down in history.”
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