Imran ‘Magic’ Khan has his eyes on an Olympic Gold medal

Aug 23, 2011 Sports

From street fighter to accomplished boxer

Ten years ago, while liming in the ghetto, a skinny youth from that area became engaged in a brawl with one of his village mates. This was not the first such occurrence but it was so brutal that the young man’s father instructed him to join a gym and expend his energies in a meaningful way. Today, the wisdom of his father’s words have seeped deeply into his psyche and now some 77 fights later Imran ‘Magic’ Khan stands ready to realize his dreams.
James ‘Sack’ Walcott is the coach of the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym (HEBG), the institution where Khan honed his skills. “He was such a skinny youth that I was afraid to match him with any of the other boxers for fear that he might be seriously injured,” reminisces Walcott. Nevertheless, Khan’s determination won out and it was not long before he was trading leathers. The youngster chalked up seven consecutive wins before suffering his first loss to Mulchand Sankar in an U-16 tournament.
He was disappointed but refused to throw in the towel. “That loss only served to boost my determination and I vowed to continue in the sport,” the young pugilist revealed. He was to suffer mixed fortunes over the next few years winning several major bouts but also conceding several. Among those to score a win over the lanky flyweight pugilist was Richard Williamson of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym.
Khan was to avenge that loss not once but thrice, defeating his nemesis a total of three times, twice in the first round.
They say perseverance reaps rewards and for Khan this statement was endorsed when he was selected to represent Guyana in a one night Goodwill Games tournament in Barbados in 2009. He won that fight and returned to the gym with renewed vigour and resolve.
The young man continued to hone his skill at the HEBG and despite losing several bouts managed to convince the selectors of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) that he is material worth investing in. As such, he earned a call up to the just concluded ALBA Games in Venezuela and returned with a bronze medal and valuable experience.
Now less than two months after his return from the Spanish speaking country Khan prepares to don gloves once again on the Friday

Imran Khan (right) raises his hands after winning the bronze medal on the podium with the other medalists at the recently concluded ALBA Games in Venezuela.

Night Fights scheduled for this Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). His opponent is his old nemesis, Richard Williamson.
“I am confident of winning but I will not get complacent,” intimated Khan. He said that he has learnt a lot from the Venezuelan sojourn and is anxious to exhibit his newly acquired knowledge.
“I have learnt the importance of the jab and am now using that punch a lot,” he intimated. Quizzed on his aspiration over the coming years Khan declared, “I am focused and ready and right now my eyes are fixed on winning an Olympic gold medal next year.”
Anyone observing his puny physique will dismiss those words as idle but a closer examination will reveal that he has chalked up 77 wins from 90 bouts. He has vowed to add the scalp of Williamson to his bulging bag of accomplishments. “It matters not who the boxer is, I intend to remove anyone in my way that is blocking my progress,” the lanky fighter proclaimed.

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