Battle of Faiths: Boxing Crowns a New King Khan

By Sumayyah Meehan

December 14, 2009

It took only 10 seconds for British-born Pakistani Muslim boxer Amir Khan to knock Jewish American boxer Dmitriy Salita to the mat. And after another 66 seconds the killer Khan delivered a combination of punches that left Salita dazed and confused against the ropes. The referee called time on the bout and declared Khan the undisputed champ. The whole match was reminiscent of a Mike Tyson fight, give or take a couple of seconds.

Touted as the “Battle of Faiths”, no one really expected the Jewish New Yorker to put up much of a fight against the mighty Khan or to even put a dent in his armor. The match was clearly balanced in the favor of Khan, who is a much stronger and faster boxer than Salita. With a WBA championship title to his credit and a Silver Olympic medal under his belt, the champ has now set his eyes on boxing in America, where he currently resides while also training in California with trainer Freddie Roach.

Khan sees America as a bright new beginning far removed from the years of anti-Islamic sentiment and blatant racism that he has had to endure from some members of British society. In a recent interview, Khan revealed his own insights into the racism he has experienced, “It’s probably jealousy and sometimes skin color does make a difference. I know if I was a white English fighter I would be a superstar in Britain and the world.”

Born to Pakistani immigrants, Khan finds American society just a wee bit kinder and gentler to his ego than the British culture. But perhaps Khan’s decision to move Stateside really has more to do with pumping up his own celebrity persona than fighting off the Islamophobes in Britain. Let’s face it: Americans are the most starstruck and swoony people on the Planet. And don’t forget about the American paparazzi, who can not only chase Khan down the street, but also simultaneously make him feel all warm and fuzzy inside simply because they care enough to take his picture.

In his own words Khan alludes to his own celebrity-wanna-be ambitions, “That’s the difference between America and Britain. In America they treat me like a god. Everyone shakes my hand and says, ‘You have made one of the best comebacks ever in boxing.’” Only time will tell if Khan will become America’s next beloved “Rocky Balboa”.

Source: bbc.co.uk

Photo: John Gichigi/Getty Images