Boxing champ Amir Khan has revealed he wanted to marry before he ‘lost his looks’ in a fight.The 26-year-old tied the knot with US student Faryal Makhdoom in a lengthy ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria in New York at the weekend.
And in an interview with Hello! magazine, which has also published the official photographs, he said he is a ‘changed man’.The Bolton-born champion married the 21-year-old political science student in a week-long, elaborate Islamic ceremony.He joked: ‘I had to get in there and tie the knot quickly, before I got beaten up in too many fights and lose my looks.’
Khan, who beat rival Julio Diaz in the ring just weeks ago, also revealed the pair are ready to start a family: ‘I’ve lived the young life, I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do. Now is the right time to settle down and start my own family.’ The sportsman also said that his married status means he won’t be out on the town much with friends.He said: ‘I’ve got to look after Faryal, so I won’t be going out as much partying with my friends. I don’t want that any more – I want to do the family thing.’The boxer – pictured with his new bride wearing elaborately stitched red and gold robes – told the magazine: ‘I think I’ll change as a person when I’m married and it’ll be a big plus for me, I’ll be able to be more focused on my job too.’
The new Mrs Khan also spoke of her joy, and about her forthcoming move to Bolton in the feature, spread across 16 pages.She said: ‘I’m so happy to be with the man I love and to spend the rest of my life with him – it’s a new chapter in my life.’The couple’s big day was reported to have cost $1million, according to the New York Post, with a second bash planned in Amir’s native Britain in a week.Taking to Twitter following the ceremony, Faryal wrote: ‘Mrs. Khan.
‘Last night was like a dream, truly amazing. Thanks to everyone that participated, really meant a lot x Now ready for the UK wedding!!. ‘The couple, who got engaged in January 2012, are expected to have an even bigger wedding in Amir’s hometown of Bolton, with a reported 4,000 guests attending.Amir and Faryal have had a long-distance romance over the past 18 months, but she will now move to Bolton.Following their engagement in January 2012, they held a star-studded engagement party for 1,000 people at the Reebok Stadium.The full interview appears in the new edition of Hello! magazine, which is out now. – DailyMail