Since coming into the limelight in 2004 with a silver medal in the Olympics, Amir Khan has become a high-profile professional boxer with an impressive fight record of 31-3.

He is a two-time world champion and has won WBA, WBA (Super) and IBF Light Welterweight titles.

Amir, from a Pakistani family residing in Bolton, is a great supporter of Pakistan and boxers of Pakistan. He has already set up an academy for boxers in Pakistan and is now aiming for more such academies.

In a recent interview with The News on Sunday, Amir talked about his fights and his future plans.

Here’re the excerpts:

The News On Sunday: How did your journey to become a professional boxer commence?

Amir Khan: Someone once wrote that I was born to become a boxer. Looking back, I think they were right, after all. I was born and raised a typical Bolton kid to Pakistani parents. I was always into sports and used to be a part of the local soccer team and enjoyed cricket. I started boxing when I was eight years old. The support and belief my father had in me was huge in shaping my ideals to take up the sport professionally.  I first shot into the spotlight after the 2004 Olympics where I won silver. I was about 17 at the time and a year later I ended up winning against Mario Kindelan, to whom I lost the Olympic gold a year earlier.

I turned professional in 2005. There’s been no looking back since then.

TNS: Asian boys usually opt for cricket or football. What made you choose boxing?

AK: I think sport in any form finds a special place in our hearts. My brother and cousin are very good at cricket and I’ve played the sport as well. But it is boxing which works best for me. I just followed my heart to do what I love. I’ve been blessed to have supportive parents who let me follow my calling. While I’m a professed fitness freak, I don’t think I’d be as passionate and focussed playing another sport.

TNS: Boxing is, indeed, a difficult sport. How would you differentiate boxing from cricket, hockey or football?

AK: Every sport is great in what it encourages among people -- sportsmanship. What I admire about cricket, football or even hockey is the immense team work and trust you need to have in your team to play a good game. It is never one man’s victory that counts.

When it comes to boxing, though it’s one-to-one but sportsmanship is still an integral part of it. The extreme focus, and physical and mental control that it teaches has not just made me a better boxer, it has also helped me as a person.

It wouldn’t be fair to compare, say, cricket and boxing. They are two very different games. But both require dedication, discipline and focus. Sport isn’t just a game or profession for me, it’s a complete lifestyle.

 TNS: What was your parents’ reaction when they first saw you in boxing ring?

AK: My mom wasn’t too keen on me being in the ring. But I guess that’s the same with any mother. They don’t like to see their kid get hit. My dad was relaxed about things and saw the positive impact boxing was having on me and how much I enjoyed it. Nevertheless, they have both fully supported me throughout my boxing career which I’m really appreciative of. Their support really means a lot to me.

TNS: We all know Amir Khan, the Boxer! Can you tell our readers how Amir Khan is in his family life? Especially, how was Amir Khan as a child?

AK: I’m really a pretty chilled out guy. I love spending time with my family. I’m a fitness freak so I’m particular about vegetable juices and lots of healthy meals and exercise. I love spending time with my daughter Lamaisah; she brings out the softy in me. As a child, I was quite naughty. I was a little difficult -- I wasn’t very obedient and I was always breaking stuff. My father first took me to boxing class hoping it would burn my energy, which it did! The people at the gym saw potential in me and before I knew it, I was on my way to doing what I do best now.

TNS: Out of 34 professional fights, you’ve lost only three. Which of those three still haunts you and you’re eager to avenge?

AK: I wouldn’t say any haunts me but I would love to avenge the loss to Danny Garcia. It was a fight that I was winning and should have got the win. I just wanted to knock him out. I know the stoppage would have come if I had kept doing what I was doing rather than trying to blast him out of there. That’s a fight I want to fight again.

TNS: What went wrong in that fight?

AK: I would love a rematch with Danny Garcia -- we’ve tried a few times since the first fight to make it happen but they’ve not been interested in it. I was dominating the first three rounds and got too confident trying to finish the fight early and knock him out but ended up getting caught. If we fight again there’s no doubt I will go in there with less emotion and just let the fight take its course rather than trying to force things to happen. It will be a totally different story next time.

TNS: When is your next fight and who’ll be your opponent? Is Kell Brook among the possible opponents?

AK: I will be out again at the end of this year, around November or December but it’s too early to say at this stage who it will be against. We’ve got a few opponents that we’re looking at. Without doubt, though, we will be looking to get a very exciting matchup set up for the fans. I’m not sure a Brook fight will be possible for the end of this year but it’s definitely a fight I would love to make happen possibly next year.

TNS: There have been talks of your fight with Manny Pacquiao. Any updates?

AK: There’s nothing new to say at this stage. Pacquiao is recovering from a shoulder injury but without doubt I want to make that fight happen because it will be a mega-fight. Hopefully over the next few weeks things should be clearer as to who I’m fighting.

TNS: Any chances of a fight with Floyd Mayweather in near future? It is something everyone would love to watch?

AK: Floyd Mayweather loves fighting against certain styles and opponents. He knows exactly how to deal with guys that are constantly the aggressors and trying to force the fight. He is a great counter puncher and it’s easy for him to pick his opponents off. I believe my style would cause him the most problems -- with my hand speed, feet movement, combinations and my ability to understand range and distance.

He says this is his last fight coming up against Andre Berto but I’m not so sure.

TNS: Many boxers in Pakistan are looking up to you as their role model and want to learn from you.  Are you available to help Pakistani boxers qualify for the Rio Olympics?

AK: Of course. When I’m not in camp myself I would love to offer them any help or advice they need ahead of the Olympics. I know support for boxing in Pakistan is growing and the Olympics is a special occasion. The facilities at their disposal are much better now.

TNS: You witnessed an international boxing tournament in Karachi a few years back. You must have watched Pakistani boxers playing other tournaments as well. Where do you rate the standard of Pakistani boxing?

AK: Surprisingly, I saw a better turnout than I expected. I think Pakistan is slowly but surely taking baby steps to recognising new forms of talent and working to foster young and emerging talent. Though cricket is still the most preferred sport for most Pakistanis, I think there’s scope now more than ever for recognising talent. We could definitely get better.

TNS: Do you see any one in Pakistan who has potential to become a professional boxer?

AK: Of course. Pakistan has a huge base of talent -- both in sports and otherwise. I think there’s a definite need for more training centres to hone skills in our boys back home, and I plan to start more boxing centres soon in addition to my boxing academy.

TNS: You’ve recently started a boxing academy in Lahore with Punjab Sports Board. Any chances of having a similar academy in Karachi, a city where you’ll see boxers practicing on footpaths?

AK: Encouraging more people who are passionate about boxing to take up the sport has always been on my mind. It is also one of the reasons why I started my own boxing academy. I do, of course, plan to start more centres for young talent soon, depending on how things pan out for us.

TNS: Amir, do you think you can play a role in portraying a positive image of Pakistan in West? An image of a safe and secure Pakistan?

AK: Contrary to some opinions, Pakistanis are a light-hearted and peace-loving people. The attitudes of a select few should not be generalised as the attitude of a nation. I think generalisation of any sort is unfair. Nobody should be judged on anything except their actions.

I’d say Pakistan is as safe to live in as anywhere else. I have my own charity which believes in giving back, especially to those who need it most. My religious and moral values have stuck with me through my career and it will remain my guiding force onward as well. I definitely want to do my best throughout the world to give a positive image of Pakistan.

TNS: Can we hope to watch Amir Khan playing a professional bout in Islamabad, in Lahore or in Karachi, someday in future?

AK: If and when it comes down to it, Insh Allah I’d love to fight in Pakistan.