Amir Khan: Rising Star of ONE Championship
Youth Meets Experience
Age 23, but he’s already carved out a reputation as one of Singapore’s best in the light‑weight division. From his first global fight to his latest knockout, Amir’s trajectory is nothing short of meteoric.
Pressure? More Like Power
- “Honestly, pressure doesn’t faze me. I chose this path and my way around the push, so I turn it into fire on the mat.”
- “When I hit my peak, I know I can keep smashing records. That’s why the weight on my shoulders feels less like a threat and more like a boost.”
Upcoming Clash
Mark the calendar: August 8th, Shanghai, ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON, where Amir will square off against former ONE Featherweight champ Honorio “The Rock” Banario. It’s another headline‑making bout to test every ounce of experience he’s gathered.
Media Madness and Mindset
Being the center of attention comes with its own set of challenges. Amir admits the early days were rough:
- “The learning curve was steep, my voice sounded weird, and the media’s echo didn’t always match my reality.”
- “On camera, you tighten up; you want to be flawless, so words matter.”
- “Through countless shows, I’m getting more natural. One day, I’ll be a bird on the spotlight.”
His advice? Keep grinding, no matter how many times you stumble. He echoes that hitting a wall isn’t failure, quitting is.
Home Bias and Brain Focus
Singapore fans love to hype Amir. “They say he’ll dominate and victory feels easy.” The problem? He can’t fail in front of his hometown crowd, or the embarrassment sets in hard. Amir’s counter‑strategy:
- Focus on his opponent, not the chatter.
- Control what he can: performance, preparation.
- Let external opinions be a side note, not a fight‑week charge.
From Nerves to Zen: The Prep Routine
As the fight week creeps in, nerves sneak up like a quiet thief.
- Morning “shake‑out” workout, shower, quick nap, shower again—ready to go.
- Daily visualisation: battle moves, emotions, and arena atmosphere.
- “Visualise the bad—fear, anxiety—every detail.” He says this pre‑empts shock on the day, letting the nerves flow naturally.
- Backstage = excitement. “I’m eye‑popping and ready to finish fast.”
The Road to the Title
With 10 wins already, Amir’s next victory could come against Banario. Each fight edges him nearer to his crowning ambition: the ONE Lightweight World Title. Hope, skill, and a pinch of swagger— that’s the Khan recipe.
