Amir Khan’s Climb to the Top of ONE’s Lightweight Division
Singapore’s own striker, 23‑year‑old Amir Khan, is on a hot streak—six straight wins, five by stoppage—facing Russia’s Timofey Nastyukhin at Yangon’s Thuwunna Indoor Stadium on February 23. The bout is Khan’s ticket to the ONE Lightweight World Championship, currently held by Martin “The Situ‑Asian” Nguyen.
From National Service to Knock‑out Fever
During his two‑year National Service stint, Khan managed to train twice a year, balancing a 10‑hour work shift with ring time. He recalls: “I was worried before enlisting, but I promised myself to keep improving, day in and day out. When the service ended, I’d be ready for a world title—my ultimate goal.”
- Work Schedule: 8 am–6 pm, then training.
- Duty Adjustment: Officer granted lighter clerical work to conserve energy.
- Result: A disciplined mindset and stronger focus.
Khan credits the support from his superiors: “They understood my passion and let me train. I’m grateful for that.”
Lightweight: The Title‑Betting Kingdom
“Lightweight is the most stacked division in ONE,” Khan muses. “No clear ranking, so I consider myself inside the top five contenders.” He lines up Nastyukhin as the next hurdle:
“Nastyukhin is a formidable finisher but not as well‑rounded as me. I have the skill set to win, likely with a second‑round TKO.”
Path to the Belt
Should Khan triumph, he eyeing two immediate title opportunities:
- Interim title against former champion Eduard Folayang.
- Full world title showdown with Martin Nguyen.
He’s also mindful of Nguyen’s explosive performance: “Nguyen’s knockout of Folayang last year wasn’t a surprise. Mate can deliver a big overhand right—I’m ready to face him.”
Who Wins the Match‑up?
When asked about fitting opponents, Khan says:
“I feel Martin is the better stylistic match, but I’m open to both. He’s a solid takedown fighter with a powerful overhand, though I doubt it will reach me. I can keep him out of range. Against Eduard, I’m confident too, but Martin edges out as the marquee matchup.”
With a fierce streak, relentless training, and a clear game plan, Amir Khan’s push to hoist the ONE Lightweight Crown is building, and fans can’t wait to see who’ll finally cross the finish line.
