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Home , Amir Khan (boxer)

THE GAME CHANGERs

STANDING TALL: Unified Light- Champion of the World Amir poses with his belts outside the Capitol Building in DC; (RIGHT) Amir Khan poses for a studio shoot prior to his fight against Vitali Martynov at the Arena in

Preparing for a fight is a full time job where Khan “just eats and sleeps boxing”, training six days a week in advance of the big day

s the New Year brings in the same old A resolutions of shedding those extra pounds or getting into better shape, HELLO! turns to former two-time world champion boxer, Amir Khan for advice. Khan has always been known as the epitome of discipline within the sporting world; a devout Muslim who strictly forgoes the sportsman’s typical vices of drugs and alcohol. After a challenging year, Khan ended 2012 on top of his game with a much-needed victory over previously unbeaten Carlos Molina. Fitness is obviously an important part of Khan’s life, irrespective of his profession, “I have always liked to stay fit and healthy and look after myself,” he tells us. “When I’m in training I reach my peak fitness-wise… it’s about slowly building up to that peak because you don’t want to hit it too early into camp; it needs to come just in time for the fight”. Getting into shape “I will start camp two months out from the fight. In the early weeks there is a lot of focus on conditioning and making sure that I get into my stride early because in the following weeks it gets even harder. If you don’t push yourself during the early weeks you won’t be able to survive the 60 later weeks, or reach the levels that you aim to

reach at certain points in camp”. ▲ Preparing for a fight is a full time job HELLO! warms up with eight hunky & very eligible GAME CHANGERS knock-out WORLD CHAMPION BOXER AMIR KHAN on being the epitome of sporting discipline and a life of intense training

61 ▲ Khan draws inspiration for this discipline from legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. ‘I have always been a big fan. What he did in boxing and outside of the sport was something truly amazing’

62 SPORTY & SEXY: Amir Khan’s intense fitness regime 63 includes tearing up and down ’s Santa Monica steps and half-mile swims in the ocean to keep the muscles loose between sessions I’ll eat a lot of protein but will have carbs as well, because you need that when you’re running or working out in the gym

where Khan “just eats and sleeps boxing”, training six days a week in advance of the big day. “When in camp, I do two training sessions. One is my conditioning session, which is to get my fitness in tip-top shape. So I will do things like sprints to get the heart rate high or road work, sit ups and a host of other things to make sure that I’m in the best state and condition for the fight”. Khan’s fitness regime has been known to include tearing up and down California’s Santa Monica steps (189 steep steps that lead down to the canyon) and half-mile swims in the ocean to keep the muscles loose between sessions. “Then I will also have a boxing session which is to hone my skills and work on the game plan for the fight.” Like many of the world’s best boxers, Khan trains at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, working directly with owner and renowned trainer . Khan clearly has laser-sharp focus and uses a healthy dose of competitive spirit to keep him motivated to do that extra sit-up or repetition. “I just think of my opponent and the fact that I need to work harder than him. When I get tired I tell myself that my opponent is pushing himself so I need to do the same and push myself to the limit.” The diet of a boxing champion Although he has a high protein intake, Khan does not advocate fad-based low-carb diets as a way to get into shape. “I like to eat healthy and have a good, balanced diet. I’ll eat a lot of protein but will have carbs as well, because you need that when you’re running or working out in the gym. I have a lot of fish, chicken and vegetables for lunch and dinner. For breakfast I will have oatmeal and some fresh fruit, like blueberries or raspberries. Protein shakes in conjunction with a good training regime can definitely help you; I use Maximuscle products when I’m in training”. Khan recently made the switch to organic food. “I just think as an athlete I should be putting only the best possible things into my body. I spoke with a lot of experts and many of them told me the benefits of organic food and how it’s grown. So from there I have chosen to incorporate more organic food into my diet”. What it takes to get to the top To achieve success, Khan is willing to make the required sacrifices, staying highly disciplined in the build-up to a fight. “When I’m out of training camp I will be a bit more relaxed about what I eat. I can afford to spoil myself once in a while! When I have a fight, even though I might want to have a nice treat, I know I’m in camp and am very disciplined about what I eat, which is sometimes a bit hard. Also I can’t stay out late like my friends who can go out on a Friday/ Saturday night. But for me those are small sacrifices and it is worth it.” Khan draws inspiration for this discipline from legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. “I ▲

FISTS OF FURY: Amir Khan devastates during their super world 64 championship unification bout at Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 23, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada; Amir went on to win the bout and retained his belt 65 ALL CLEANED UP: A dashing Amir Khan during a photo call to launch the new AW12 Burton Menswear in , England; (INSET) Amir with his fiancee Faryal Makhdoom ‘She’s a nice girl and I have a real connection with her,’ said Khan of fiancée Faryal Makhdoom

have always been a big fan. What he did in boxing with her so we make it work. She doesn’t really like and outside of the sport was something truly boxing but she knows that this is my profession so amazing. He’s a huge inspiration; he helped to she has accepted that and is fully supportive of break down many barriers and was a man who me.” stood up for what he believed in, despite his world Crediting his parents for the values that they title being stripped from him and being an outcast instilled in him from a young age, Khan attributes in his country for refusing to go to an unjust war.” his success to hard work. His final piece of advice is Khan declined to comment on recent as follows: “Just work hard and be dedicated and speculation over infidelity accusations. “She’s a you can reach your goals... I genuinely believe if nice girl and I have a real connection with her”, you work hard then you can go very far in life”. said Khan of fiancée Faryal Makhdoom, “plus the fact my family all love her as well is great for me. I just knew she was the one for me the moment I 66 met her.” But any relationship has its ups and downs and Khan’s focus on his work can take a Interview: Annabel Treon toll. “When I’m not training, I spend a lot of time Photography: Getty IMAGES