Former world boxing champion Amir Khan has unveiled an ambitious new business venture that signals his foray into boxing promotion, with Ghana poised to be the launchpad for his latest endeavour.
The British-Pakistani fighter has teamed up with Sharaf Mahama, son of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, to stage a high-profile boxing event dubbed Battle of the Beasts in Accra next month.
Khan, 38, who earned global acclaim for his fearless approach in the ring against the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, and Zab Judah, is now channelling his energies into a promotional career through the relaunch of his company, AK Promotions. The former Olympic silver medallist is partnering with Ghana’s Legacy Promotions to bring international boxing to the African continent, starting with a blockbuster card on Friday, June 13.
The event, which will be broadcast live on DAZN, will feature a headline heavyweight bout between American fighter Andrew Tabiti and Ghana’s Jacob Dickson. The match-up is set to draw global attention and marks a bold attempt to revitalise Africa’s presence on the world boxing stage.
Speaking to Wales Online, Khan expressed his excitement about the venture and praised his relationship with Sharaf Mahama as pivotal in making the deal happen. “Sharaf got in touch and said, ‘Look, I’d love you to do a boxing show here one day.’ I thought about it and said, ‘Let’s do it now,’” Khan said. “It’s a good time, boxing is booming everywhere. I’ve always wanted to get into promotion, and this is the perfect opportunity.”
Khan emphasised that his decades of experience with some of the biggest names in boxing promotion, including Golden Boy, Top Rank, Eddie Hearn, and Frank Warren, give him a unique insight into the business. He hopes Battle of the Beasts will serve as a test of the loyalty and support from those he has worked with in the past.
“This is a good one for me because it will show me where the loyalty lies. I’ve made millions for promoters, I’ve done deals with Turki Al-Sheikh and others. Now it’s my time to see what I can build,” Khan added.
Sharaf Mahama, who plays a key role in the organisation of the event, is equally optimistic about what the initiative means for Ghana and the continent. “This is the first of many,” he declared. “Our mission is to build a platform where African fighters shine globally and fans get the unforgettable nights they deserve. The world is watching, and Ghana is ready.”
Despite iconic moments in African boxing history—most notably the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa—boxing has struggled to maintain sustained global visibility on the continent. Khan believes events like Battle of the Beasts could mark the beginning of a new era.
“This is just dipping our feet in the water,” Khan said. “We’re learning the trade slowly, and then we’ll start doing more and more shows. It’s amazing to get DAZN on board. I want to feel what it’s like to be the promoter now—not the one taking punches in the ring.”
With Khan’s star power and Mahama’s connections, the duo are betting on a powerful formula to elevate African boxing to the global stage. As preparations intensify ahead of the June 13 event, all eyes will be on Ghana to see whether this bold venture will deliver on its promise.
