Century lands boxing champion Amir Khan’s ‘unique and unforgettable’ autobiography 

Century, an imprint of Penguin Random House, has signed Fight For Your Life, the autobiography of former two-time world boxing champion Amir Khan, for publication on 21st September 2023.

Publishing director Ben Brusey bought UK & Commonwealth rights from Natalie Jerome at Curtis Brown with Nicola Clarke at Shine Talent Management and Nick Hartwell at Nixus Sport & Entertainment. 

Following Khan’s retirement from the sport in May 2022, in Fight For Your Life: The Autobiography, Khan looks back on a boxing career that spanned 27 years. 

The publisher says Khan, “is a role model for his Pakistani heritage, his Bolton upbringing and the best of British sport”, and reveals for the first time “the full story of his life outside the ring.”

It continues: “Told with his trademark warmth, humour and honesty, Khan relives his highs and lows.

“He shares never-before-told stories about his greatest fights and rivalries. He reflects on his Muslim faith and how his family forged him. He reveals dramatic details of a shocking armed robbery attempt when he was held up at gunpoint with his wife Faryal, along with the ups and downs of their marriage.

“He describes his charity efforts to help Pakistan’s devastating floods, and he gleefully recounts the hilarious and heart-warming antics of his everyday life as a husband and father of three children, made popular in the acclaimed BBC Three TV series ‘Meet the Khans: Big in Bolton’. The book, which will be written in 12 chapters and 12 rounds, shares Khan’s relatable and hard-won life advice so that readers can learn from his triumphs and mistakes.”

Publication of the book will be accompanied in 2023 by a third series of BBC Three’s “Meet the Khans” and Khan will be supporting the book with in-person signings and a promotional campaign. The book will be published in print, digital and audiobook, with Khan to read the audiobook.

He said: “With this book I want to show everyone the real me, in and out of the ring. I had an amazing boxing career but there’s more to me than knocking other guys’ lights out. I hope readers find this book entertaining and surprising, and that we can share some laughs, some stories and some occasional wisdom together.”

Brusey said: “Amir Khan’s lovable charm and inspirational story transcends boxing. He is one of Britain’s great sporting icons from the past two decades, and like everything Amir sets his mind to, I know his brilliant memoir will be a knockout success.”

Jerome also commented: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this exciting project and for Amir to find such a fantastic publisher and editor to help tell his unique and unforgettable story. And what a story it is: a working-class Pakistani lad from Bolton who starts boxing at aged eight, becomes Britain’s youngest ever Olympic medallist at 17 and world boxing champion, changing not only his life but inspiring millions around the world. Amir has forever changed the sporting landscape and with his trademark cheeky wit and effusive personality, Fight For Your Life will demonstrate just why he is one of the greats.”