GALLERY: Amir Khan boxes clever with Willenhall youngsters
British boxing star Amir Khan hopes he inspired champions of the future after visiting Willenhall Town Amateur Boxing Club.
Khan, 33, a former unified light-welterweight world champion, posed for pictures with fans at the packed-out Willenhall Town gym before sparring with exciting young boxers and head coach Shaun Hargreaves.
He gave a speech from the ring at the club on Ashmore Lake Way in a bid to inspire the youngsters, and teased he could be lining up his next bout in a few months.
Olympic silver medal winner Khan, who last fought in July last year and became a father for the third time last weekend, said: “I want to come and inspire the kids – they see champions and one day want to be like us or better than us. Boxing definitely changed my life, it got me off the streets.“It’s about these kids keeping their heads down and keeping out of trouble.
“I’ve got a fight hopefully in a few months. I might come back down here and do some training with these guys.
“There are some really good kids here from what I’ve seen on the pads. Whether you win or you lose, it’s about not ever giving up.”
Khan, who was also in Walsall earlier this month, vouched to come to Willenhall after being sent videos of eight-year-old sensation Oliver Clark in action.
Oliver's father Wayne said: “He’d seen little clips of Oliver and he said he was quick and he liked him and he’d come and have a look.
“It’s great motivation for Oliver. It was like ‘wow’ to see him.”
Head coach Mr Hargreaves, who started the club up five years ago, added: “I’ve never had anyone of such high profile walk into the amateur club. It doesn’t happen every day.”
