AIBA boxers better prepared for the big-time than ever before, says two-time world champion Khan

Two-time former world champion Amir Khan believes International Boxing Association (AIBA) fighters are better prepared than ever-before to make the step up to the peak of the professional ranks following the advent of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) and the World Series of Boxing (WSB).

Speaking here at the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships, where he was welcomed by Qatar Boxing Federation President and executive director of the Local Organising Committee Yousuf Ali Al-Kazim, the Athens 2004 Olympic silver medallist said it’s getting to the point where AIBA's boxers are "very similar" to their professional counterparts.
Launched last year, APB is the only individual professional boxing competition that allows boxers to compete while retaining their Olympic eligibility, while the WSB, which took off in 2010, similarly provides a bridge between Olympic boxing and a future professional programme.
Having competed as a 17-year-old at Athens 2004, Khan is Great Britain’s youngest-ever Olympic boxing medallist and appreciates just how important the World Championships are to the career of aspiring young fighters, especially with 23 Rio 2016 Olympic places up for grabs at this year’s edition.
"They’re getting the fighters prepared for the professional [ranks] I think and for the big world titles," said Khan.
"I think it’s a lot harder being an amateur than it is to be a professional because obviously when you’re fighting as an amateur at this level, you’re fighting the best in the world, all over the world, whereas as a professional you can sometimes pick who you fight."
He added: "The Olympic Games changed my life and boxing here ahead of the Olympics in Rio will be no better preparation for those who qualify.
"There is some very good fighters here and everyone needs to give every opponent the upmost respect.
"Every boxer’s dream is to become a world champion and AIBA with this event are able to get boxers prepared for the highest level."