Bolton boxers have thanked Amir Khan for everything he has done in the sport following his retirement announcement today.

Khan’s retirement has been hanging in the balance for quite some time, with rumours of his retirement form boxing resurfacing after his defeat at the hands of long time rival, Kell Brook.

With a 41-fight career, of which 34 were wins, the now 35-year-old is finally ready to hang up his gloves.

But Khan doesn’t take a step back without shadow, as cousin Abdul looks to step into the limelight to become essentially, the next King Khan.

Abdul said: "I'm grateful to Amir for his support and I admire his decision to focus now on his family."

Pro boxer Jack Flatley said: “He's left behind a great career and fought a lot of people who most people wouldn't and became a superstar in boxing.

“What he did as a 17-year-old whilst still a boy against men winning an Olympic medal should always hold him in great respect in boxing.”

Amir has inspired boxing in Bolton in such a way that the borough is brimming with new talent ready to take the reigns and make Bolton proud.

Newly turned pro boxer, Samir Aftab said: “I’d say he’s had an amazing career becoming a 2x world champion and he has made the right decision to retire from the sport and spend quality time with his wife and kids, and I’d like to wish him all the best in the future.

In his famous career, Amir has lost just six fights, and had 21 knockouts from his 34 wins.

Three times national boxing champion Ali Akbar Javid said: “Amir Khan has been a great inspiration for me and for all the Bolton community.

“Coming from the same small town as Amir it shows with discipline, dedication and hard work dreams do come true.”

Mark Heffron at Joe Gallagher’s Bolton gym, said: “I just think it was a good move for Amir he’s had an unbelievable career been in with some of the best fighters in the world and he’s had a career people can only dream of.

It wasn’t just boxers who were looking back at Amir’s successful career, but coaches too.

Coach and owner of Elite Boxing Gym, where boxers like Jack Flatley and Osman Aslam train, said: “Amir khan was a real role model in boxing in the UK and especially Bolton, 17 years old bringing home a silver in a man's which he won against the best of his weight and all fully grown adults.

“He was one of our best amateur boxers the UK have ever produced and I'm sure this inspired so many children, will we ever see an amateur as good?

“He had amazing talent as well as hand speed, I was luckily or maybe unlucky to spar him regularly when he was young to a professional fighter, and I use him as an example teaching certain techniques.”