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LONDON. – Former world boxing champion Amir Khan has announced his retirement from the sport after a 17-year professional career.

The Briton (35) is a former unified light-welterweight world champion and won silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

His final bout was a sixth-round knockout loss against rival Kell Brook — who also retired last week.

“It’s time to hang up my gloves,” Khan posted on social media. “I feel blessed to have had such an amazing career that has spanned over 27 years.”

Khan finishes his career with 34 professional wins and six losses, having turned professional in 2005.

“I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the incredible teams I have worked with and to my family, friends and fans for the love and support they have shown me,” he added. Khan burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old at the 2004 Olympics. He was the only boxing representative for Team GB at the Games.

A silver medal in Athens generated additional funding for Team GB and paved the way for future Olympic stars such as Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams.

It also thrust Khan into the limelight and his transition into professional boxing came amid huge fanfare.

He raced to 18 straight wins as a professional, with his lightning-fast hands despatching most opponents in exciting fashion. After a surprise knock-out loss to Breidis Prescott in 2008, Khan moved to the US and teamed up with renowned trainer Freddie Roach.

Just 10 months after his first career defeat, Khan realised his childhood dream by beating Andreas Kotelnik at Manchester Arena for the WBA light-welterweight title. -BBC Sport.