Khan backs team GB Boxers

Amir Khan is still only 25 – a number seemingly forgotten by those urging him to retire because he lost his world title to Danny Garcia.  But still young though he is, Khan will be looking on with something akin to paternal pride as potentially the most successful boxing team in Britain’s history go for medals in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

But his silver medal-winning exploits laid down the foundation upon which this month’s ten-strong team of seven men and three women has been built.  Khan’s success triggered increased funding for amateur boxing in this country. The first return on that raised level of investment came with James DeGale’s gold in Beijing.  Now Team GB are predicted to land a haul of at least seven medals. While the recent defeat to Garcia in Las Vegas hurt Khan, he switched his thoughts to the excitement coming to London’s East End.  He says: ‘It was important that I did well in Athens, not just for me but to help shore up the funding. Maybe what I achieved has helped this squad come together and put in their long period of training together.