Amir Khan speaks out on Birmingham knife crime crisis - 'this never used to happen in the 90s'
The Bolton boxer is a long-term supporter of Legal Blows Muslim Boxing Awards
Bolton boxer Amir Khan is calling for more gyms, academies and entertainment facilities to keep young people away from knife crime.
The sports icon graced the Legal Blows Muslim Boxing Awards 2025 in Digbeth, presenting awards to champions and up-and-comers in the boxing world.
A star studded event taking place on March 22 - the awards were organised by Legal Blows who provide legal and grassroots support to professional and amateur boxers.
Other legends in attendance included Peter Fury, Ziyadh Almaayouf, Johnny Nelson and Samera Ali.
Amir shot to fame scoring a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, becoming the youngest British Olympic boxer for 30 years.
He became a boxing icon in the UK and the South Asian and Muslim community, before retiring in 2022 after a 40-fight record career of 34 wins and six defeats.
Speaking at the awards he said: "It is one of the best awards for Muslim boxers, we are opening fast here and coming together.
"We have done three Iftars in Uxbridge, Luton and Leicester to raise money for Gaza and they have all been brilliant.
"We also have the Amir Khan Foundation events where we have a team in Gaza.
"Our team is way ahead and I will hopefully go to Palestine with a group of people in October to experience it myself, making videos to show what it's really like over there."
When asked about Birmingham's knife crime epidemic, Amir said: "All these stories about knife crime and gun crime, it never used to happen in the 90s.
"We need to open more academies and gyms, get the youth busy.
"Get them into education, sports events or entertainment that will keep them away from the streets.
"Everything is too expensive so they cannot afford to go, and everything is closing down.
"I remember going to the Bullring when I was young, it was amazing and busy but now it is empty.
"We need to re-open everything to keep youngsters off the streets."
Guests enjoyed the awards ceremony alongside a lavish Iftar meal, money was also raised in charity for Gaza.
Other local legends at the awards included Samera Ali, the Hodge Hill boxing coach with three scrappy kickboxing daughters, and Haseebah Abdullah, England's first hijab-wearing boxing coach.
Another guest who won an award on the night from was Ibraheem Suleimaan 'Spider', 24, from Alum Rock.
Founder of Legal Blows Adil Hussain pointed out why Muslims love boxing so much, saying: "There is a synergy between boxing and Islam with the discipline that boxing teaches; wake up on time, listen to your coaches, be respectful, the brotherhood in the gym which we have in Islam as well.
"We are here to inspire, encourage and support Muslim boxers, we want the younger generation to get inspired by the world champions we have here."
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