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World Sport

Amateur Khan to fight on pro cards


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Khan connects with Serik Yeleuov of Kazakhstan during his winning semifinal at the Olympics.

LONDON, England -- Olympic silver medalist Amir Khan will fight on pro boxing cards while keeping his amateur status, under an historic three-year deal struck by promoter Frank Warren with the English Amateur Boxing Association.

Khan has been inundated with offers to turn professional since his Athens heroics, but the 18-year-old lightweight wants to win gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Khan is likely to feature on the undercard of Joe Calzaghe's next defence of the WB0 super-middleweight title in March.

Although they won't be paid, amateurs will fight in team events under regular amateur rules at the same venues where pro fighters meet in 12-round title fights.

"I think it makes sense for Amir to have more time in the amateurs but I do not believe he will box in the next Olympics," Warren said.

"This historic deal gives amateur fighters the chance to build a profile before they turn professional," he added.

Khan, from Bolton in North-West England, is in no need of added profile after his glittering displays at the Olympics where he was beaten for the gold by the legendary Cuban amateur Mario Kindelan.

The ABA's director and chairman of England selectors Keith Waters said: "It is something we have been looking at for some time and hopefully it will enable our talented boxers to stay with us a bit longer.

"Our elite squad is really looking forward to the prospect of bringing top international opposition over to fight on big occasions."


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