Boxing: Amir Khan Takes On New Role, Heads WBC Middle East Boxing Council

Boxing champion Amir Khan has been busy outside the ring and is now taking on a new role. The 33-year-old Bolton fighter has been named president of a new boxing body, the WBC Middle East Boxing Council, with Taz Khan acting as vice president.

Khan has yet to return to the boxing ring. His last appearance was in July 2019 when he defeated Billy Dib in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman welcomes the appointment of Khan, believing he has what it takes to handle the overseas division, Boxing Scene reported.

“I am confident that under the leadership of champion Amir Khan, the culturally diverse Middle East region will provide a unique platform for the proper development of our sport and with time produce a new batch of WBC champions,” Sulaiman said.

Sulaiman is aware that there is a lot of undiscovered talent in the region and feels Khan is the right man for the job. The Bolton fighter has already taken steps in developing the sport in Pakistan, and the boxing body believes this initiative will spread across the region. The WBC is eager to develop amateur talents as well as female boxers.

“With the newly created WBC Middle East Boxing Council, Amir will realize our joint vision and positively contribute to the development of boxing with the participation and cooperation of its prospective member countries in the Middle East region. We all look forward to a journey of great results for the benefit of the youth of the world,” Sulaiman added.

The latest development comes not long after Khan revealed his plans of moving to Dubai. His plan is to bring boxing to the United Arab Emirates, Khaleej Times reported. It appears the move is part of his retirement plans.

Aside from promoting the sport, Khan is also busy partnering with Omar Jackson, the founder of “X” by OJ Lifestyle.

"I've tried to keep it a secret, but I thought it would be a good change," Khan shared. "I'll still be going back and forth between Bolton and Dubai, but I want to do a lot more in Dubai and I'm in talks with the Dubai Sports Council and Omar Jackson to improve the boxing landscape here."

"Maybe one day we could have a boxing arena in the Coca-Cola arena! Moving here is definitely a challenge, but also an opportunity to open more doors for boxing in Dubai," he continued.