Amir Khan admits he should have retired following 2016 loss to Canelo Alvarez
- Joe Hewlett
- 29 May 2022
Amir Khan spoke to Planet Sport following his decision to retire from the sport earlier this month.
The former two-time world champion called time on his career earlier after a defeat to arch-rival Kell Brook in February.
Khan - who retires with 34 wins, including a Fight of the Year victory over Marcus Maidana - revealed he has received more love than ever since making the decision.
"The message I'm getting is people now appreciate you a little bit more," said the 35-year-old Khan.
"I didn't ever think that would happen. Maybe you get more respect when you retire than when you're in the sport."
When Planet Sport asked Khan about what legacy he leaves behind in the sport, he added: "I was never scared of a fight.
"I fought the best out there. Win or lose, I gave it my all in every fight. I gave the fights people always wanted.
"I couldn't leave the sport without the Kell Brook fight because that's what everyone wanted," he added.
"It was a little bit late, but it is what it is," Khan said. "Other than that, I'm happy with how the career has gone. What I have done in the sport and what I have left in the sport.
"A lot of people said you can't go out losing a fight. But I have gone out holding my hand up that I don't have it left in me, honestly.
"The better man won on the night. I'm not going to risk it, going in the fight again. Why continue when anything can happen?
"You're only one punch away from getting hurt, knocked out or killed… that's something I was always scared of.
"If my reflexes are not there I'm not seeing the punches coming to me. I was getting caught with shots that I never really get caught with that easily.
"So I was like maybe it's time for me to call it a day. I just can't do it no more - that's it, man."
"I can't go into a full training camp again," Khan added. "My body is beaten up, it's breaking down.
"But for exhibition fights how long do you have to train? Maybe two or three weeks. It's something I may consider, but at the moment I don't want to go into a boxing gym."
Should have retired in 2016
A rematch with Danny Garcia was a possibility but instead, Khan chose to take on Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at a catchweight of 155lbs.
Khan - who had previously missed out on showdowns with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao - dominated the opening four rounds but got knocked out in spectacular style in round six.
"After the Canelo fight I thought I was probably done and I should have probably called it a day then," he said.
"But I didn't. I loved the sport too much that it was hard for me to walk away then."
"There's nothing that would spark me and I would say, 'yeah, I'll take it'. It was hard for me to stay in the game. I didn't want to be in it, man."
"We set my promotion company up, signing up young fighters, and in America as well I am going to do something big which I'll announce in the next month or so," he added.
