WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan believes he may be the victim of racial tension in Britain and has claimed he would be a "superstar" if he was white. His father, however, does not agree.
The 22-year-old defends his belt for the first time against mandatory challenger Dmitriy Salita at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.
He was booed by a small but vocal minority at the Prizefighter tournament at the ExCel Arena last week and the Muslim has put such behaviour down to bigotry.
"It's probably jealousy and sometimes skin colour does make a difference," he said. "I know if, maybe, I was a white English fighter, I would be a superstar in Britain.
"I never get racist remarks but it's always out there which you can't stop. You just live and learn about what people are like.
"I just choose to ignore them."
The Bolton fighter added: "I'm proud to be British and it's a very small minority but it does hurt you and it pushes you all the way.
"I went to the Olympic Games for Britain and won a medal for Britain and then won a world title for Britain but sometimes you don't see the appreciation."
However, Amir's father Shah has refuted such assertions and told BBC Radio Five Live: "I don't agree with it to tell you the truth. I don't know why he made that comment but I think the attention he gets now at this stage of his career is incredible. I think he is known all round not just in England but round the world."
He added: "I think he is almost there anyway. He has got a long way to go yet and he is still young, he is only 22.
"I think all the superstardom will come eventually. Considering his age and the level he is at now I think he is quite well known."
Shah still believes his son will be well supported tonight in the north-east and he continued: "I am sure everybody will be behind him and he's going to get a great response in Newcastle tonight.
"It's going to be a tough fight for him but preparation has gone really well and I don't think there is any reason why he shouldn't come out on top."
A possible clash with Ricky Hatton has been suggested but Shah believes the Mancunian ought to retire, saying: "If the fight was to come it's a possibility. I personally think Ricky should retire: he's a great guy, a great champion and achieved what every fighter wants to achieve. If Amir gets to that level and achieves what he has I think he'll have done great.han Feels
Looks to me like he's gearing up to a permanent move to the USA.
The 22-year-old defends his belt for the first time against mandatory challenger Dmitriy Salita at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.
He was booed by a small but vocal minority at the Prizefighter tournament at the ExCel Arena last week and the Muslim has put such behaviour down to bigotry.
"It's probably jealousy and sometimes skin colour does make a difference," he said. "I know if, maybe, I was a white English fighter, I would be a superstar in Britain.
"I never get racist remarks but it's always out there which you can't stop. You just live and learn about what people are like.
"I just choose to ignore them."
The Bolton fighter added: "I'm proud to be British and it's a very small minority but it does hurt you and it pushes you all the way.
"I went to the Olympic Games for Britain and won a medal for Britain and then won a world title for Britain but sometimes you don't see the appreciation."
However, Amir's father Shah has refuted such assertions and told BBC Radio Five Live: "I don't agree with it to tell you the truth. I don't know why he made that comment but I think the attention he gets now at this stage of his career is incredible. I think he is known all round not just in England but round the world."
He added: "I think he is almost there anyway. He has got a long way to go yet and he is still young, he is only 22.
"I think all the superstardom will come eventually. Considering his age and the level he is at now I think he is quite well known."
Shah still believes his son will be well supported tonight in the north-east and he continued: "I am sure everybody will be behind him and he's going to get a great response in Newcastle tonight.
"It's going to be a tough fight for him but preparation has gone really well and I don't think there is any reason why he shouldn't come out on top."
A possible clash with Ricky Hatton has been suggested but Shah believes the Mancunian ought to retire, saying: "If the fight was to come it's a possibility. I personally think Ricky should retire: he's a great guy, a great champion and achieved what every fighter wants to achieve. If Amir gets to that level and achieves what he has I think he'll have done great.han Feels
Looks to me like he's gearing up to a permanent move to the USA.
