• British news

Khan beats Fury and Burns to British gong

ESPN staff
November 21, 2011
Amir Khan holds two titles at light-welterweight, but is expected to move up a division next year © Getty Images
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WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion Amir Khan was named as boxer of the year at the British Boxing Awards on Sunday. He held off competition from the likes of Tyson Fury, George Groves and Ricky Burns to claim the honour.

Khan has won his three bouts over the last 12 months: the first on points against Marcos Maidana in December 2010, a bout he controlled for large spells - only to find himself severely rocked in the tenth. He recovered to close out a victory that answered questions about the resilience of his chin.

Then in April he overcame Ulsterman Paul McCloskey in controversial circumstances, with the bout stopped in the sixth due to a cut above McCloskey's eye caused by an accidental clash. Promoter Barry Hearn was left fuming at the decision - but no rematch was agreed, and Khan moved on to defeat Zab Judah by fifth-round knockout in July.

His next test is against Lamont Peterson on December 10, after which he is expected to move to welterweight in search of a fight against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

Meanwhile, fight of the year was Kevin Mitchell's scrap against John Murray in July, which Mitchell claimed when he forced an eighth-round stoppage.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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