By Imran Azam, The Muslim News
Amir Khan has signed a ‘strategic alliance’ with US based Golden Boy Promotions. Such a development will give credence to reports that Khan will base himself permanently in America after becoming disillusioned with life in the UK.
Speaking to the media before his last fight last month in Newcastle, Khan was quoted as saying: “I know if, maybe, I was a white English fighter, I would be a superstar in Britain. No one has said something to my face but it’s always there. In America I’m treated like a god. The difference in LA is that people appreciate what you achieve. In England I don’t really see that. I see a lot of bitterness. Random people in the streets, everywhere, whereas in America I haven’t come across any hate.”
Former promoter Frank Warren believes the media was pursuing an ‘unfair’ agenda against the young boxer. He countered: “People don’t ask David Haye what it’s like to be black. They don’t ask Catholic fighters about the problems in Northern Ireland. When James De Gale [Olympic 2008 Gold medallist] got booed, they didn’t put it down to racism.”
One can argue the debate on the future of a multicultural, multi faith Britain is no longer a black and white issue. The threat of terrorism has moved on from the IRA to Al Qa’ida with Muslims and not Catholics being viewed with suspicion.
Winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics made Khan one of the most recognised sportsmen in the UK. Millions tuned into his fights on TV whilst thousands crammed into arenas across the country to see their hero in the flesh.
His first professional title opportunity came in July 2007 against the light punching Scotsman Willie Limond. Khan was heavily dropped in the sixth round by his opponent but rallied round to stop the champion in the eighth. To this date the Glasgow boxer and many others in the boxing fraternity believe Khan was given a long count to recuperate from his knockdown.
The turning point in Khan’s relationship with the fans came after he was knocked out in less than a minute against the virtual unknown Colombian Breidis Prescott. The BBC Boxing team reported that callers inundated their hotline gloating at the young fighter’s demise. For others, the defeat allowed them to litter boxing forums and You Tube with racist postings.
Khan later revealed to being “surprised” at the verbal hostility he encountered as he made his way out of the ring at the M.E.N Arena. However, should such antagonism and vitriol have come as a surprise? The warning signs were there.
There was sporadic fighting between Asian and non Asian fans when Khan fought in Glasgow in 2005. In April 2007 several newspapers reported how he had to leave an amateur boxing tournament in Liverpool after being verbally abused by some fans. His manager Asif Vali said at the time: “It was horrible and in my mind somewhat racist. Apart from the horrible insults, they were goading him saying things like, ‘Come on, have a go with us’ and ‘Come on if you fancy yourself’. It was very intimidating.”
Moreover the BNP’s Nick Griffin wanted Khan and other non whites to be encouraged to leave Britain. He was reported to have said: “Perhaps we will lose one good boxer, but there are more important things.”
Khan’s management had more important things to worry about than respond to Such comments. After the Prescott massacre they moved to LA and linked up with the highly respected Freddie Roach.
Under the new regime Khan has won four out four. He has fought in London, Manchester (twice) and Newcastle. The response from fans at such contests could be described as warm at best. Although I wasn’t present at the Metro Arena in Newcastle the BBC boxing commentator Mike Costello described the reception given to the boxer before and after the fight as “rapturous.”
By linking up with Golden Boy, Khan believes he can increase his profile in the US. And if he does want to become a household name in the US he must learn from the mistakes of a fellow British Muslim boxer – Naseem Hamed. The Sheffield born boxer initially dazzled the Americans with his skills and showmanship. However, the overt Islamic symbolism which he displayed in many of his ring entrances proved a PR disaster. Against Cesar Soto in Detroit he entered the ring to the Islamic call to prayer, in another he got the ring announcer, Michael Buffer, famous for “Lets Get Ready to Rumble” to recite the Islamic declaration of faith.
If Khan is serious in becoming a personality in the US then his advisors would be advised in investing is some media training. Rather than focussing on prejudice the boxer needs to work on his personality and marketability. If he doesn’t then issues such as his ethnicity, religious or political beliefs are likely to overshadow his performances in the ring.
Source: muslimnews.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment