Unified WBA and IBF light-welterweight world champion Amir ‘King’ Khan has scooped the 2011 British Boxer of the Year Award. The Bolton star shook off stiff competition from contenders such as Ricky Burns, Carl Froch, Nathan Cleverly and Jamie McDonnell who have all enjoyed a fruitful year. Khan, though, has had a highly successful 12 months, having beaten Argentine bruiser Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas last December before his homecoming to England in which he saw off the challenge of undefeated European champion Paul McCloskey in Manchester. The highlight of the year, however, came against tricky New Yorker Zab Judah in July, when he unified the 140 pound division after a sensational performance in which he stopped the IBF world champion in the fifth round. “I’m very proud to have won the British Boxer of the Year Award,” said Khan. “It means a lot to me to be recognised with this award and gives me the motivation to strive for even more success in my career,” he said.
“I would like to thank my team and fans for helping me pick up this award, without their help I would not be able to reach the levels I have over the last year. Freddie Roach, my trainer, has been a key figure in helping me become a unified world champion and I’m sure that the next 12 months will get even better for me. The Olympic silver medallist was unable to make it to the event as he is currently in training ahead of his December 10 showdown with Lamont Peterson in Washington. Speaking from his Los Angeles camp, Khan is confident ahead of a bout that he hopes will kick-start a big 2012. “Training is going great and I feel ready to do the business on December 10. Lamont Peterson is a tough opponent and is a fighter with a very big heart, which showed in his comeback against Victor Ortiz,” Khan said.
