Amir Khan Wants to Fight in the Olympics

Amir Khan wants to do a lot of things tied up with his career, the most important of which is perhaps a date with former sparring mate Manny Pacquiao in 2016.

Is that all he wants to do? How about a possible stint in the Olympics? Well Khan seems to have that in mind as well, another desire that adds to the growing list of things he wants to accomplish.

With the AIBA’s decision to allow professional fighters to participate in the Olympics, Khan is pretty much interested in doing so. This makes him the second fighter keen on the opportunity, the first one being Wladimir Klitschko who is all for it.

The question is: Will it be good for the sport? Seeing pro boxers fight in the Olympics will of course draw in the crowds but would it be good for up and coming boxers?

Depending on how one looks at it, pro boxers could share the experience in the ring with rising amateur boxers. But with the odds obviously in favour of the proven pro boxers, would the presence of pro boxers still motivate the future fighters of the sport?

Such is the debate which is not really surprising. Basketball did it and as everyone knows, the professionals have been dominating that niche.

Boxing is likely to be the same with the likes of Khan and Klitschko at an obvious advantage.

If ever Khan does pursue his Olympic plans, it would be his second time around. Back in 2004, Khan won the silver medal at the games held in Athens, Greece. Could he win the gold medal this time around? Well the chances of that happening look pretty high.

The thing is, amateur boxers stand to benefit since they can claim to have fought a pro fighter in Khan or eve Klitschko. But other than that, the glory of bagging a gold medal above all will be doubly hard against a seasoned and experienced fighter.

It remains to be seen if Khan will indeed push through his plans for another Olympic stint. Right now, there are more pressing matters at hand such as waiting if he will get the opportunity to be Manny Pacquiao’s final opponent in 2016.

Khan is among the shortlisted candidates that Pacquiao is choosing from. Others in the list include Terence Crawford and Timothy Bradley Jr. Pacquiao and his camp are expected to name the Filipino boxer’s official opponent either this month or in December.