DUBAI: British boxing champion Amir Khan has revealed that he moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with his family, citing safety concerns following a terrifying gunpoint robbery in East London.
The 38-year-old former light-welterweight world champion spoke to The Sun, explaining how the 2022 incident left him feeling vulnerable in the United Kingdom.
The traumatic event prompted Khan to reconsider his family's future, ultimately leading him to seek a safer environment. Now residing in Dubai, he feels a renewed sense of security and stability.
Gunpoint attack in London
Khan and his wife, Faryal Makhdoom, were confronted by an armed assailant outside a restaurant in Leyton on April 18, 2022. The attacker, later identified as 20-year-old Dante Campbell, demanded Khan’s £72,000 Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph watch. With a gun pointed at him, Khan complied immediately, saying, "What do you want, my watch? Here you go."
The robbery, which took place in full public view, shocked the boxing star. Khan later remarked, "Imagine if I had my kids with me that time. My wife was with me. Even she hates being around or going places."
Police investigations led to the arrest of Campbell and his accomplice, 25-year-old Ahmed Bana. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and possession of an imitation firearm. Bana received a prison sentence of nine years and eight months, while Campbell was jailed for seven years and nine months. The stolen watch was recovered, but the experience left a lasting impact on Khan.
Seeking safety in Dubai
Following the attack, Khan made the decision to relocate his family, including his three children, Lamaisah (10), Alayna (6), and Muhammad Zaviyar (4), to Dubai.
The boxer cited the UAE’s strict laws and enhanced security as the primary reasons for the move. "Look, I can walk around wearing anything, doing anything. I can leave my car door open, it's just so much safer here. I think the law is much more strict, and people like us need that," Khan told SunSports from his new home.
He recalled frequenting London cafés where street fights would break out, describing such an environment as "undesirable and unsuitable." As a retired fighter, he emphasised, "I've been fighting all my life, there's no point starting fights on the streets or getting into problems."
A history of street attacks
The 2022 robbery was not the first time Khan had faced danger in the UK. In 2012, he and his brother Haroon were attacked by six men in Birmingham in an attempted carjacking. The pair managed to fend off the would-be thieves, who allegedly tried to steal Khan’s £125,000 Range Rover.
In 2017, Khan was also involved in a violent altercation in Manchester following a road rage incident. While the circumstances of each attack differed, they contributed to his growing concern over personal safety.
Turning down UK events
Despite his relocation, Khan maintains a deep affection for his home country. "It's sad to say, but look, I still love the UK. The safest I feel is Bolton, where I live, my hometown. I know everyone there and everyone knows me," he stated. However, concerns over security have led him to decline invitations to UK-based events. "We get invited to UK events and stuff like that, and I have to turn a lot down because I just don’t know what can happen. When you go out of town, it gets a little bit scary."
Khan, who retired from boxing in 2022 after a high-profile fight against Kell Brook, has since enjoyed a quieter life. However, he acknowledges that fame comes with constant public attention. "Being recognised everywhere you go makes it a little tough and scary as well."
Looking ahead
While Khan’s move was primarily driven by safety concerns, he remains one of Britain’s most celebrated fighters. Reflecting on his career, he said, "When you retire, that's when you realise you were a great champion for Great Britain. I had great times, UK fans, I do love them and they were amazing."
Now settled in Dubai, Khan appears to have found the peace of mind he sought. "It is what it is; the law always catches up on you. Maybe it's a message to people: don’t be stealing, don’t be carrying guns, because you will get punished when you’re caught."
Khan, widely regarded for his exceptional hand speed and accuracy, is one of the most successful British boxers of all time. His rise to fame has been particularly impactful within British-Pakistani and South Asian communities, inspiring many to pursue boxing. Khan, who hails from a Pakistani Punjabi Rajput family with roots in Matore village, Kahuta Tehsil, Rawalpindi District, Punjab, Pakistan, has also been active in charitable efforts. As the founder of the Amir Khan Foundation, he continues to give back, while also promoting boxing through Khan Promotions and Pakistan's Amir Khan Academy. His involvement in the sport extends globally as he co-owns India's Super Fight League (MMA) and the Super Boxing League.
In addition to his boxing career, Khan has appeared on various reality and game shows, such as the 2017 season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!