Boxing star Amir Khan opens new city centre gym

A mural is on a wall of the gym which has a picture of Amir Khan on the left with a United Kingdom flag around him. On the right of the mural it says 'Top Yard Boxing Club' in white and blue writing.Richard Knights/BBC

The new boxing gym was opened in Queensgate Shopping Centre on Sunday

Aimee Dexter
BBC News, Peterborough

A former world boxing champion has opened a new city boxing gym - in a shopping centre.

Amir Khan opened the Amir Khan Boxing Academy in Queensgate Shopping Centre, in Peterborough, on Sunday.

The academy was launched to try and help get young people off the streets and into the ring.

The Olympic silver medallist, and two-time world champion, said: "I am sure when your kids go out you feel so scared, but at least you know at a boxing gym they are being looked after and being cared for."

The academy was launched in partnership with the Top Yard School of Boxing, which is also based in Peterborough.

Located on the upper floor of the shopping centre, the founders of the new gym are hoping to reach out and support more young people.

Amir Khan is looking towards the camera smiling. He has short black hair and brown eyes and is wearing a grey T-shit. He is stood in front of a bright red wall.Richard Knights/BBC

Two-times world champion Khan said he thought it was "fantastic" to have a gym in the shopping centre

Brand new boxing ring facilities, with poles and tiled floorRichard Knights/BBC

The new gym will ensure local young people interested in boxing will be "looked after and cared for", Khan said

Khan said: "Peterborough is a lovely place, I love coming here all the time.

"I want to start doing a lot more in this community. Boxing with everyone together - that is what we want."

Khan previously met the owners of Top Yard School of Boxing whilst at a charity event hosted by the Amir Khan Foundation about nine years ago.

Bilal Javed has since been working with the boxing champion to try and create a space for the academy to grow.

Bilal Javed is looking towards the camera with a light smile. He has a short grey beard and brown eyes, and is wearing a black T-shirt. He is standing in front of a bright red background.Richard Knights/BBC

Bilal Javed said there was a lot of antisocial behaviour in certain areas of the city

Collection of punchbags hang from the ceiling of the boxing gym - they are vibrant red with black bases and topsRichard Knights/BBC

The state-of-the-art facilities will offer a space for the boxing academy to grow

Mr Javed said: "They need somewhere to go and burn some energy so basically our gym is for that.

"We offer a lot of classes for the youth today."

A spokesperson for Queensgate Shopping Centre said: "We are proud to support the Amir Khan Academy and everything it stands for.

"Queensgate is more than just a shopping destination - it is a community hub."

Khan, who is wearing a grey T-shirt and black trousers, is holding his hands up which have boxing gloves on. A person is standing in front of him with their back to the camera wearing red boxing gloves.Richard Knights/BBC

Khan got back in the ring to practise with one of the boxers who attends the academy

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