Amir Khan visits Birmingham to meet boxing fans
HUNDREDS of boxing fans flocked to a Birmingham sports store to see WBA World light-welterweight champion Amir Khan unveil his new clothing range.
The 22-year-old proved to be a knockout with his local followers as he marked the launch of his exclusive Reebok range at JJB Sports on Corporation Street.
Joining the boxing prodigy at the event were members of Small Heath Amateur Boxing Club, invited to entertain the large crowd. It marks a massive upturn for the Digbeth-based club that looked certain to close when flames ripped through their old premises in 2004.
The club had built up a huge reputation over a 30-year period, nurturing some of Birmingham’s top boxers at their Fazeley Street gym.
The likes of Mike Macklin, Frankie Gavin, and Wayne Elcock all rose through the ranks at the club which is now located on Adderley Road.
Paddy Benson, the 22-year-old grandson of founder Pat Benson has taken up the role of taking the club back into its glory days. “We’re in a transformation period and it’s a slow process but things are starting to look up,” he said.
“The fire was a killer blow for us because we were doing really well. “We had youngsters in the England squad and a lot of big names coming out of the club.”
