Win or lose Amir Khan thrilled a generation of boxing fans in the U.K. and then the United States.

Khan was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, the second oldest of four children on December 8, 1986. As a youngster he had a good upbringing but was full of energy.

"I used to like a fight; I used to fight outside school - I had that aggression in me," Khan told The Ring. "I didn't know anything about boxing, I didn't know what boxing was until my dad took me to a gym and I loved it."

After embarking on his amateur career from the age of 11, he quickly excelled, winning three English school titles and three junior ABA titles. He also won gold at the European Cadet championships. However, it was when he was gold at the 2003 junior world championships that he put the world on notice of his immense talent.

The following year, Khan, 17 at the time, was the sole boxing representative for Great Britain at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he stole the hearts of a nation and paved the way for future generations success when he claimed silver, losing in the final to amateur legend Mario Kindelan.

"The Olympics were fantastic," he said. "I helped the funding to stay in the amateur boxing in the U.K. otherwise they were going to pull the plug because we weren't doing that well."

Whilst still a teenager, Khan was a household name in the UK, took some time to mature and turned professional in the summer of 2005.

"My purse for that fight was £200,000 for a four-rounder," he revealed of his debut on ITV, a terrestrial television channel, that drew an audience of over 4 million. "Before even turning professional, I was already a millionaire. I'd signed a £1.5 million pound [around $2.7 million dollars] deal with Frank Warren. I was fighting all over the country."

Khan reeled off 18 consecutive wins and picked up the Commonwealth lightweight title along the way before he was stunningly derailed by fellow unbeaten Breidis Prescott in one-round.

"That was like a bump in the road, I just made a f9ck up," he said. "You know when someone catches you so clean? That's what that was, such a good, clean shot.

"Everyone walked away, there were people in my own team, friends, they thought I was done, I was just a hype job."

The defeat left his career in ruins, but he was able to rise from the ashes and bounce back by beat Andriy Kotelnik for the WBA junior welterweight title.

"I'd lost a fight and three fights after that I was world champion," he said proudly. "It was the best thing ever; I'm not going to lie to you! I celebrated it so well because everyone doubted me, and I had proved everyone wrong."

Khan, who was training at the Wildcard with Freddie Roach, switched operations to America, where 10 of his next 12 fights took place, all the while growing his profile there.

"I did some big nights in the U.S., my first fight was at Madison Square Garden, then Mandalay Bay Arena, I went to MGM and fought all over Las Vegas," he said. "Canelo was the biggest one I had in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena. My face was lit on the Vegas strip and that's what you want.

"I had the opportunity to fight twice at Madison Square Garden, one in Barclays Center, one in L.A., one in Washington D.C. I fought all over America and when you think about it, they were all big fights for world titles."

During his time stateside Khan beat skilled Paulie Malignaggi (TKO 11), edged out Marcos Maidana (UD 12) in an epic rollercoaster ride, knocked out former two-division champion Zab Judah (KO 5). He lost a close and controversial fight to Lamont Peterson (SD 12) and saw a rematch cancelled and was reinstated as WBA beltholder. He then looked to unify with WBC ruler Danny Garcia in a fight for the vacant Ring championship. Despite a good start Khan was caught and dropped heavily in Round 3 and stopped the following round.

Khan returned at welterweight where he impressed scoring a near shutout against Devon Alexander (UD 12). He was close to securing a fight with boxing's biggest star Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"I had that fight, but Floyd didn't want to give it to me. I tweeted it and announced it before him," he recalled. "It's God's plan. It wasn't meant to be. Some fights aren't meant to be, and I think that was one fight that's not meant to be."

He then tantalized us with talks to face Kell Brook in a huge domestic clash but ultimately jumped up in weight to face Canelo Alvarez at a catchweight 155-pounds. Again, Khan had some good moments early before walking into a huge shot that knocked him cold.

Khan worked his way back with two wins and met Terence Crawford for the WBO welterweight title

"I know I was maybe past my best, but he was going to be a heck of a fight even in my prime," he said. "It would have been a hard fight because one thing with Crawford, he's got everything that causes big problems to any fighter, any style."

After years of circling each other, Khan rounded out his career against Brook (TKO 6) in February 2022.

"I never turned any fight down; I fought whoever they put in front of me," he explained. "I was the guy that was chasing everyone. I hope young fighters take a leaf out of my book and follow my footsteps. I couldn't finish my career off without fighting Kell Brook."

Since then, Khan (34-6, 21 knockouts) has retired but remained in the public eye with a notable appearance in 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!'

"I'm a family man now, I've been just enjoying life," he said. "I do a lot of charity work; my foundation helps less fortunate people.

"Charity is something I've been doing for a very long time, even when I was a boxer but now, I've been able to expand it and do a lot more work. Building homes and orphanages all over the world, Gambia, Pakistan, schools in the UK, the homeless, we build homeless shelters."

Khan, now 38, is married, has three children and lives between the UK and Dubai.

He graciously took time to speak to The Ring about the best he fought in 10 key categories.

Andriy Kotelnik: "He was throwing that jab so perfect that he was catching me, and I was getting hit all the time. His jab was really good. He had a tight guard with a jab even if you tried to counter him with that hook."

Terence Crawford: "When I fought him his defense, me throwing power shots and speed shots, I just couldn't get through. The guy was a good technician."

Zab Judah: "Zab Judah was quick. I don't think I've ever faced anyone as quick as me. I just feel he was quicker than other people I fought. His timing was perfect, and he had good speed with that and power as well. You had to be very careful that you didn't get caught with a big shot. Alexander was fast as well."

Crawford: "Footwork has to be Crawford. His movement was so good that he was making me miss. He knows when he needs get out of trouble. He was an all-rounder. He's a very good fighter."

Danny Garcia: "Danny Garcia set that trap up, throwing that left hook, so perfect. He was taking a beating until he landed that big shot. Him and Kell Brook as well. Kell Brook was a really clever fighter."

Canelo Alvarez: "Canelo was heavier than me but someone at my own weight was Kell Brook. Canelo was a hard motherf9cker! I was hitting him with some combinations, and he wouldn't go back. Normally you get guys who are coming forward and slowly cutting the ring down. I was catching him with some good shots and thinking, 'take a step back.' that's what I wanted him to do, so I could throw a flurry of punches, so I can hit him with them and to take a step back and I could start to dictate with them, but he wouldn't let me."

Kotelnik: "Canelo, Kotelnik, he just didn't seem to be hurt one bit. Kotelnik had the better chin. I remember watching him before he fought me, he beat Maidana and took his biggest punches and never went down."

Canelo: "When he hit me, I didn't really feel the punch, I was knocked out before I hit the floor. I do remember everything. There was one fight I don't remember anything against Maidana. I'd rather be knocked out with one shot than take millions of shots like that because that definitely can affect you. [Against Breidis Prescott] that didn't really feel that because I was still young."

Crawford: "He makes you miss by inches and counter you back, hit you with shots you don't see and that makes you not want to throw punches. Automatically he's using his offense as a defense. He was so precise. He has to tick all the boxes."

Crawford: "Crawford and Canelo. I lean more toward Crawford, but Canelo has to be up there. Terence Crawford was a beast."