Boxing: Amir Khan's life and career in pictures

In 2004, in a murky, smoke-swamped boxing hall in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a young boxer from Bolton achieved an extraordinary feat. Amir Khan, then aged just 17, beat a fighter 10 years his senior to qualify for the Olympic Games in Athens. Not only was the nature of the victory extraordinary, but the backstory too: Khan almost defected to Pakistan when the British boxing authorities denied him the right to qualify for the Games. Only after his victory over Rovshan Huseynov was he finally granted a spot in the GB team Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images Sport

Khan was the only British boxer to qualify for the Games and his progress through the rounds was emphatic. Khan faced the talented Cuban Mario Kindelán in the gold medal fight; defeat was cruel but Khan at least came home with a silver medal Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Khan vowed to pursue his amateur career until the 2008 Games, but within a year the promoter Frank Warren had convinced the teenager to sign professional terms. Khan's amateur record ended as 100 wins and two defeats, and he earned revenge over Kindelan in his last fight. Khan made his professional debut against David Bailey in a lightweight contest at the Bolton Arena in July 2005 (pictured) winning via a first round technical knock-out Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

Khan remained close to his family as his career burgeoned. This picture shows him on a post box at the end of his street in Bolton along with his sister Mariyah. Sporting success is not rare in his family - his cousins include the international cricketer Sajid Mahmood Photograph: Murdo Macleod

As Khan's reputation grew, he signed a sponsorship deal with sports clothing firm Reebok in 2006 Photograph: Reebok/PA

In the ring, Khan was keen for a title bout. He faced the Scot Willie Lomond in 2007 and won the Commonwealth lightweight title when his opponent retired in round eight Photograph: John Gichigi/Getty Images

Impressive defences followed, including this first round knock-out of Graham Earl after just one minute and 12 seconds. Though critics suggested Khan was not facing sufficiently capable opponents Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

That changed in September 2008 when Khan agreed to fight the Columbian Breidis Prescott - a fighter with a track record of 17 knock-outs in 19 fights. Khan soon became knock-out No18 as his opponent attacked him brutally from the opening bell Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

Khan was down twice inside a minute - his knees wilted and his senses were scrambled after taking a volley of blows. The defeat, timed at 54 seconds, was an embarrassing chapter in Khan's career and cost him the WBO intercontinental lightweight title he had won from Martin Kristjansen five months earlier Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

Khan's one-fight trainer Jorge Rubio was duly sacked and the veteran Freddie Roach - trainer to the likes of Manny Pacquiao - took over Photograph: Sarah Lee

Khan won his first fight under Roach with a second round TKO against the Irishman Oisin Fagan at the ExCel Arena in London, earning the WBA international lightweight title in the process Photograph: John Gichigi/Getty Images

Having disposed of the ageing Marco Antonio Barrera at the start of 2009 (the Mexican was stopped in the fifth round for a severe cut sustained from a clash of heads), Khan began 2010 with a fight against Paulie Malignaggi (pictured) in America. It was his first bout in the US and, in the 11th round, the fight ended in his favour Photograph: Stephen Chernin/AP

Khan's love-life became the focal point of press attention later in 2010 when he was seen canoodling with Katie Price (aka Jordan) at a pre-Oscars bash in Hollywood. Khan was quick to rubbish suggestions the two were an item, posting a curt denial via Twitter Photograph: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Accusations that Khan lacked a strong enough chin to rival the world's best boxers were rebutted in a 12-round classic against Marcos Maidana of Argentina in Las Vegas in December 2010. Despite putting Maidana to the canvas in the opening round, Khan was made to endure a punishing finale as his opponent delivered punch after crippling punch in round 11. Khan hung on to claim victory by a unanimous decision Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

The fight was followed by a brawl between the two camps. On the left, Sebastián Contursi and Maidana's trainer Miguel Diaz are seen threatening Khan's entourage Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Khan claimed the IBF light welterweight belt by beating Zab Judah (pictured) in May 2011. The win came amid controversy as the American claimed to have been felled by a low blow, but replays showed the uppercut landed cleanly on the belt Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

Next up for Khan is Lamont Peterson, a boxer with a 29-1-1 record ... and as this picture suggests, the bout is taking place in Peterson's hometown, Washington DC, on 10 December. Both belts are up for grabs and for Khan, who harbours ambitions of fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr next year, it's a prime opportunity to display his boxing talents to an American audience once more Photograph: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

But the champions loses his belts after a controversial split decision. A rematch, though, is a near certainty. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images