"I've grown up quick since coming back from the Olympics and I'm starting to look at everything in a different way, because that is the way it has to be when you are a professional," he said. "I have to realise that boxing is now a job, a career and something that I will do until I retire." The plan, according to Khan and his people, is for the young boxer to win a world title or two and retire unhurt, with £50m in the bank, in just five years' time. It is the same plan that a thousand hopefuls have had over the past 30 years, but few come anywhere near realising it. Warren, though, is confident that Khan can achieve something truly remarkable. "Watching and listening to Amir during the last few months has convinced me that he is capable of changing the face of British boxing," he said.
Not all of the performances have been of Olympic quality, and getting used to the criticism has not been easy for the teenager, who has admitted to being shocked when reading critical reports of his fights. "If it was easy I would have turned professional back in September and started making money straight after the Olympics. I've had to sit down with my dad and the rest of the people that I listen to and consider every possible option, and it's not been easy. But I know that I've made the right decision because right now I believe the time is right and that British boxing is ready for me." Since losing to Kindelan last August, Khan has boxed five times and on each occasion he has been at the centre of public scrutiny. "In many ways the Olympics seems like a long time ago, but whenever I sit down and watch any of the fights I could still remember the punches just a second before I threw them," Khan said.
Once the Olympics had ended and the boxer returned with the type of fanfare generally restricted to gold medallists, the pursuit of his signature on a contract started. It was inevitable that the winner of the race would be Frank Warren. The pair have been in business together for two years but tomorrow night will be their first public outing together and the pressure is on. "I've heard some people say that it was easy for me to turn pro and walk away from the Commonwealth Games and the next Olympics but they are wrong," said Khan. Less than 12 months ago Khan was an unknown 17-year-old student from Bolton. He was destined to be Britain's only fighter at the Olympics, but in many ways Athens was meant to be only a trial for the Beijing Games in 2008. Before last summer's event started Khan and the people surrounding him spoke of winning once or twice, and then preparing for gold in China.
