"I want to start doing a lot more in this community."
Former world boxing champion Amir Khan has opened a new boxing gym in the heart of Peterborough, inside a shopping centre.
The Amir Khan Boxing Academy launched on July 20, 2025, in Queensgate Shopping Centre.
The initiative aims to keep young people off the streets by providing them with a safe space to train and grow through boxing.
Khan 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 Olympic silver medallist and two-time world champion opened the academy in collaboration with the Top Yard School of Boxing, which is also based in Peterborough.
The gym, located on the upper floor of the centre, is intended to serve as more than just a sporting facility. It is part of a wider mission to build a stronger and safer community for young people through sport and mentorship.
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.”
The new academy is the result of a long-standing partnership between Khan and the local boxing community.
He first met the founders of Top Yard School of Boxing, Bilal and Hamad Javed, at a charity event hosted by the Amir Khan Foundation nine years ago.
Since then, they have been working together to bring the academy to life.
Bilal and Hamad said: “We first met Amir over nine years ago at a charity event hosted by the Amir Khan Foundation.
“Amir was impressed by our work with youth and suggested opening an Amir Khan Academy.
“Since then, we’ve grown from strength to strength, producing four national champions and numerous Box Cup winners.
“Amir’s involvement has truly inspired our community.”
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Speaking about the new boxing academy, Bilal added:
“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.”
Queensgate Shopping Centre has welcomed the project as part of its commitment to serving the local community.
Verity Swinscoe-Wigmore, marketing and events co-ordinator at Queensgate, 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.”
The academy is now open and running a full schedule of youth boxing classes, with more community-led projects expected to follow.
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