In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Amir Khan believes it was time to retire from boxing since his “passion for the sport was no longer there,” adding that his career has been “amazing.”
Following his epic British battle with long-term rival Kell Brook in Manchester in February, the former world champion announced his retirement on Friday, concluding his career with a 40-fight record of 34 victories and six losses.
When the decision was taken, Amir Khan told Sky Sports News on Friday, “It was a couple of weeks ago.”
“Even before the last bout with Kell Brook, my family told me that I should call it quits and that I’d accomplished everything I desired.
“I’d fought all around the world, against the biggest names in boxing, achieved many world titles. And it was in the back of my mind even before taking the last fight.
“But after it, I could feel that my love for the sport just wasn’t there anymore, and I decided I was going to call it a day but didn’t know when to announce it.
“That was a part of me that still wanted to do boxing and be part of it, but I just had to announce it.
“It feels quite funny really because boxing is something I’ve done all my life, and I’m so attached to it that I am going to miss it.
“I’ve had a brilliant career. My family told me a long time ago to retire, but I said: ‘No, I want to do a bit more. it’s just hard to walk away from the sport. But I think it’s the right time to walk away now.
“Boxing has been brilliant for me. I thank all the fans, my trainers and coaches, and my boxing family. It’s all I’ve known and it’s been fantastic.
“Since coming out of the Olympic Games at the age of 17, boxing changed my life and gave me a great platform.”
When asked who were the major influences in his camp that influenced his choice to retire, Amir Khan responded his entire family was supportive.
The 35-year-old went on to say that boxing has completely changed his life.
“My children and I. ‘Look, daddy, we want you to stay at home,’ my children said. We’d like you to spend more time with us,’ “he added.
“I want to see my children mature. Training camps and being away from home, away from your family, is extremely difficult in boxing.
“My mother and father both stated the same thing. That I’ve been playing for a long time. Taking punches to the head for almost 20 years in the sport of boxing.
“At least I’m still in a good position that I can walk away from the sport, everything is intact. The last thing I want is me slurring or, as you can imagine, the amount of injuries you could get in boxing.
“Luckily, I’m one of those fighters that can walk out happy and content.
“Life totally changed [after the 2004 Olympics], but in a good way. It never got to my head, I always kept my feet on the ground.
“I can only thank boxing for what it’s done for my life.
“Honestly, I don’t know where I would be in life, and what boxing did for me was keep me on a straight path, and made me a better person.”
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