Don’t rule out my chances of Dubai bout, insists former world champion who says one his best ‘money decisions’ was shaped in emirate
Boxer Amir Khan, who has punched his way to an estimated $30 million fortune, says one of the best “money decisions” of his career was shaped in Dubai where he hopes to climb into the ring before hanging up his gloves.
Khan, who admits to making some bad decisions earlier in his career, has since been wise enough to protect his earnings against the financial traps that have broken many other boxing stars, former world champion Mike Tyson among them.
“There are a lot of people out there who will promise you the world, but if it sounds too good to be true, it is,” says the 32 year old British fighter who takes on America’s undefeated WBO welterweight world champion Terence Crawford on 20 April in Madison Square Gardens in New York City.
“I’ve made mistakes and learnt from them. My advice to anyone with money that other people want to get their hands on is – do your research, ask as many questions as you can, trust your gut instinct and try not to surround yourself with ‘yes’ men.”
Khan followed his own advice and turned to Berkeley Assets, the private equity firm with offices in Dubai and London, to help build more financial security for himself and his family.
The company brought him out to the emirate a few weeks ago to unveil him as their brand ambassador and discuss new business opportunities.
Looking after his interests in Dubai is Omar Jackson, Partner of Berkeley Assets, a keen boxing enthusiast himself who trains in a local gym and will be ringside for Khan’s much anticipated bout with Crawford.
The partnership began last summer when Berkeley Asset’s blockchain technology company, Cryptech World, sponsored Khan’s fight against Colombian Samuel Vargas, which he won on a unanimous points decision in Birmingham.
“Things have moved on since then, and it feels like the right fit,” says Khan. “Omar wouldn’t last long with me in the ring – just joking – but I know I’ve made one of my best money decisions.”
Khan, who has been a regular visitor to Dubai with wife Faryal in recent years, says he can count on one hand the number of fights he has left before retiring from the sport, and wants one of them to take place in the emirate.
“There’s been quite a lot of talk about it happening, and I’d love to have a fight in Dubai, where I’ve got a lot of fans and has become my second home,” he said.
“Quite a lot of things have to come together to make it happen, but one thing I’ve learnt in my career is that boxing can produce surprises, so don’t rule it out.
“For the time being, my focus is the Terence Crawford fight. I couldn’t say no to it. I needed a fight to motivate me to train hard, and this is a massive fight. If I win, people will remember me as a great champion.”