What is the public perception of Amir Khan in the UK?

He's the most famous British boxer and has been since 2004 when he won silver at the Olympics. There's noone who compares really, 100% of the population knows who he is, your mum, your gran, the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury, everybody. Hatton only caught up when he fought Mayweather, and I don't think Haye has yet, even with all the hype over Valuev and Harrison.
Remember those fights were on sky pay per view (a satellite channel), Khan's fights at the Olympics were on the BBC, and his early pro bouts were on ITV, free channels with millions of viewers. In his early days he was the darling of the media due to his achievements and likable personality. His medal also promoted the sport back into the mainstream consciousness and prompted an increase in funding for the amateur game, which has paid dividends in the amount of high class amateurs the country has turned out in the last few years.
However the level of his opposition did not tally up to his fame and fortune, as a young developing pro it never could unfortunately. Still there was a growing dissatisfaction with his opponents, even non boxing fans couldn't help but notice that they tended to be twice his age and half his height. This came to a head when he received the infamous 'long count' against Willie Limond, it became apparent that Khan wasn't operating on a level playing field with your more honest and humble pug. He also had some troubles out of the ring, was getting a bit flash with the cash and knocked an old fellow down while speeding in his sports car. The man sadly passed away within the year, some said due to the stress of the injuries.
So many weren't all that plussed when he got knocked out against Prescott, just rewards you could say.
However, with some excellent help from Frank Warren and Freddie Roach he has rebuilt his career superbly. Despite the stereotype, in fact the British love a winner and Khan is doing just that. However I can't help but think that should he lose again he won't really receive the love and sympathy that Hatton and Bruno received.

As other posters have noted he tends to also talk about fighters he has no intention of fighting. Mayweather, Murray, Thaxton he's been doing it for years!

 

Me to.

I think he deserves respect for his dedication to boxing, he is also extremly talented. I was very supportive initialy then I began to resent him as he was on primetime TV and we were told that he was facing credible opponents- when in fact they were utter bums! it was an insult to my intelligence that people like Barry McGuigan etc would talk up these fighters when everyone knew it was a wlakover for Khan.

He went on PPV far too early as well and this really pissed me off as it showed pure greed when he could have raised boxing's profile. Some of the PPV shows were disgracefull- Oisin ***an!!!???!! and Prescott was handpicked as he had a record that looked good on paper- and that backfired big style.

Now I am beginning to like him again, at least he is taking on credible opponents and he takes his boxing far more seriously and is a better example to kids than Ricky Hatton ever was.

He is very attached to Pakistan though through family history and that rubs people up the wrong way as most people would rather support people who have loyalty to Britain- not a foreign country, although Joe Calzaghe was always proud of his Italian roots and it didn't damage his popularity too much.

 

A joke and a fraud.

 

Assuming you mean current boxers then thats bollocks. David Haye is by far the most famous/known UK boxer. Followed bizarrely by Audley Harrison, then Khan

 

My acid test for how famous someone is, is if my mum or grandma has heard of them. I'll have to phone them to see if they've heard of Haye and get back to you.

I bet the archbishop of canterbury has never heard of Haye.

Perhaps it also depends on which part of the country you're from. Khan's forever in the Manchester Evening News.

 

Completely wrong.

Khan is known by Mothers, fact. I didn't believe it either, till my friend actually asked his Mother about him.

Haye/Audley follows second/third

 

Yep. It's surprising at times, because I hear it from people I would have never expected to.

 

Bull**** mate. Its defo Khan, after Ricky if your including him. Khan has the crossover into previously untapped territory of asian families which Haye doesnt have. There are old women in indian sarees and trainers who know of Khan, Haye doesnt even come close! lol

 

Khan is widely known by the non Boxing public, I'd say he and Haye are very close popularity-wise, shamefully Carl Froch isn't really known ...

Haye and Khan both could fill stadiums no problem and will sell excellent PPV numbers should they fight a Klitschko or Mayweather, ...... I'd say even a Khan/Cotto or Mosley would do massive PPV figures.

I think Haye would take a Hatton-esque support to Vegas should he fight a Klitschko there, not sure how Amir's fans would travel but I think he'll get good backing too, and not just from the Asian community.

 

His PPV's so far have been very poor. But a good performance against Maidana will propel him along a bit. Still a lot of unanswered questions.

 

I'd say Khan is fby far the most well known boxer in the UK, think about som eof the main stream advertisments he has done for milk etc. Haye has only been famous since the Valuev fight.

 

could not of put it better myself, he does say some dumb ass sh1t though:deal

 

Good boxer but a **** of a man...

I'm never likely to forgive his "If I was a white fighter" comment.

 

tight aint the word,you go and price some work at there pads,
i say "aye,be about £300 mate"

abdul "so,i give you £200,that be ok init":shock:

cheeky bugger:bbb

 

you right khan is known by a lot of asian familys,but not all,i walked in the local corner shop the other day,said to him,"you watching boxing on sat,"

he said "what,eh,why:huh,
"i say,khans boxing,
he said,"which one,theres thousands",ok im joking about the last bit,i thought it was funny,but the rest,true:thumbsup