Revealed

SHOW #39

Amir Khan

Bolton boxer Amir Khan rose to prominence as the sole representative of the United Kingdom in boxing at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, where the plucky youngster picked up a silver medal. Since then, Khan has gone on to become the World Boxing Organization junior welterweight title holder. In his 24-fight career, he has lost only 1 bout.

Revealed follows Khan to New York for his U.S. debut where he defends his belt at the home of boxing, Madison Square Garden, against local opponent, Brooklyn-born Paulie Malignaggi.

It is not an easy route to get to America, as Khan, a British-born Muslim, suffers delays in receiving his visa to enter the States - which means he is forced to train in Canada for the week before the fight. Revealed spends time with Khan and his coach Freddie Roach in the temporary gym they have chosen on a sleepy street in Vancouver.

Fortunately for Khan the visa arrives just in time, and Revealed captures the moment when Khan and his family receive the news. Travelling with his entourage to the airport, the young boxer is clearly relieved and excited.

Once arriving in New York he faces taunts and jibes from his opponent Malignaggi - and a brawl breaks out between Khan's friends and Malignaggi's supporters as the two boxers weigh in the day before the fight.

Despite the wealth and glamour of a boxing career, Khan is a proud Muslim who prays every Friday and before every fight. Revealed attends the mosque in New York and sees Khan take inspiration from God. His prayers are answered and Khan defeats Maliganggi in the 11th round the following day.

Back home in Bolton, Khan is dubbed a "poster boy for multiculturalism," where he works hard in the community to take underprivileged kids off the street and in to his gym/ youth center - where they are taught boxing as a means to channel aggression. He himself admits to "Revealed" that he was a hyperactive child, often getting in to trouble - which is why his parents took him to the boxing gym in the first place - and the rest is history.

With candid interviews from Khan, his parents, trainer, and friends – this month's Revealed brings an insight into life as a Muslim role model, and a sportsman whose success story has only just begun.