Amir on the spot

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• Book the fight
• Amir's Fight Diary
• Our experts on Khan
• Khan pictures

Everyone knows Amir Khan as a world champion boxer, but few people know what he's like away from the ring.

Well, we asked you to send your questions in to the WBA champion so we could put them to him and find out more about one of Britain's best-known sports stars.

The questions came in thick and fast and we put 10 to Amir, who took time out from preparing for his Sky Box Office clash with Dmitriy Salita to answer them.

And he was brutally honest on all manner of subjects; from Muhammad Ali to X Factor, Ricky Hatton to Naseem Hamed.

Here's what Amir revealed when we put him on the spot...

First of all I'd like to congratulate you on winning your first world title. My question is how do you think your family and religion have helped you through your career and how do you feel about being a massive role model especially within the asian community. Also Eid Mubarak and good luck for the fight. Will be glued to the telly with the rest of the family! Faisal Rashid
AMIR: Thanks Faisail. I am close to my family and is great having them around. It takes a lot of the pressure off me and also helps to motivate me, push me to do well for them. The support has always been there from day one and they are always at ringside for my fights, which is good because a boxing ring can be the loneliest place to be and it's nice to know there support and love is there. I try to keep my religion as private as possible, but it helps me a lot, it definitely gives me greater belief in everything I do. When God is on your side, it just gives you more mental strength.

Which boxer did you prefer more Naseem Hamed or Muhammad Ali? and do you think will win from Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather? Daanyaal Rehman
AMIR: Muhammad Ali was the ultimate fighter, the Greatest of all time, so it is hard to prefer anyone else, but as for Nas, he was a great, great British fighter - and a real inspiration for me growing up. He was a role model for Asians in Britain as well and did open a few doors, which is something I hope I can be as well. As for Manny fighitng fighting Floyd, I would have to pick Manny, because of the consistency of his punches. Floyd has a great defence but a low work-rate and when you're not throwing punches, how can you win a fight? I see Freddie has said I would make the perfect sparring partner for Manny if that happened, which is nice to hear!

Hi Amir, I just wanted to ask you about a possible fight with you and the current European champion Paul McCloskey he is 20-0-0 with 10ko's.I think it would be a fantastic fight for Britain and Ireland and i think it would generate massive interest please answer this as, I would dearly love to hear what your input on this - and best of luck for the big fight (but I don't think you will need it). James Buckley
AMIR: Paul McCloskey is a decent fighter who I know well from my amateur days, Kevin. I have seen a bit of him as a pro as well and like you say, he has a decent record and has done well to become European champion. Maybe if he has one or two more fights to really prove himself a fight could happen, but there are so many good light-welterweights in and around Britain now, there are some really tough fights out there. You've got Kevin Mitchell, McCloskey and a few of the guys who will be in Prizefighter on Friday night, plenty of good names at 140lbs. I really do think I can have some big, big fights in this division and although my dream is to fight in America one day, there are some great fights to be had in Britain.

Who do you see as a bigger threat to you, Kevin Mitchell or Ricky Hatton?Kristian Dawson
AMIR: Both are great fighters, Kristian. We all know what Ricky has done in boxing and Kevin Mitchell is a young fighter, like myself, jusy coming through. They both have things to do first, so maybe this is a question I will be able to answer better in six months time. They are both great fighters, though, I know that. Kevin as tough fight against Breidis Prescott on the undercard on Saturday, but I think it is one he can come through. I think he will have learned from the mistakes I have made and I do think Prescott is a one or two round fighter, so if Kevin can get through those Prescott's strength will disappear. I really think Kevin can win this.

Hiya Amir, I've watched all but one of your fights to date and I think your an excellent boxer. My question to you is do you get anxious about the fight before hand and what made you want to be a boxer? Nicola Fairhurst
AMIR: I think every fighter suffers from nerves to be honest Nicola, it's only natural for a human being to be nervous, so yes I still get it. But it can be a help and you can draw from that and if anything, I would be worried if I wasn't nervous! I would like to say you it gets better the more fights you have, but it doesn't really; but now I have such belief in my ability and know I have worked and trained so hard that it makes it a bit easier to handle. I got into boxing when I was eight years old, just because I was a hyperactive child! I had so much energy, we needed a positive direction in which to channel it, so I went down the gym and it started from there.

What is it really like training with someone as good as Manny Pacquiao and what have you learned from him ? Good Luck on December 5. Simon Berrevoets
AMIR: I've learned a lot from Manny, Simon; he is one of, if not the, best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. It helps even more that we are both similar fighters, with similar footwork, speed and power. Sparring with him is just great and I do watch him when I'm not in the ring, the little feints and slight movements he does, and try and see if I can use them. Of course, what works for someone doesn't always work for another fighter, but it's a privelege to work alongside him. Manny is great with me as well and watches me on the pads and in sparring and always has some words of advice. I would love to achieve what he's acheived one day and it's an honour to work alongside him. Mind you, I think I'll leave the singing to him!

How many weight classes do you feel you can move up? I know you got the skills, but at the lower weights you have to move up weight divisions and conquer them to become a true all-time great. Do you feel you could move up to around middleweight by the end of your career? Amjad Khan
AMIR: I know I can go up one more to welterweight at the very least, maybe even up to light-middle, Amjad. But first I want to have some big fights in the light-welterweight division and moving up can come later in my career. The good thing nowadays is that we see boxers moving between weight classes all the time, just like Manny has done. Boxing is changing at there are more and more catchweight contests taking place at specially-arranged weights with that diamond title still in the line. I would love to go up one day, but for now I am happy at 140lbs. Getting down to 135lbs killed me, even 24 hours before the fight and bang, you're weakened straight away. Now I am a lot stronger and a lot happier. As Salita will find out on Saturday night.

Hi Amir, you're obviuously a football fan so I've got two questions: 1) are you any good at football yourself, do you still get time for a kickabout and 2) can bolton wanderers stay up this season! I'm not so sure myself! Harry Andrews
AMIR: I like my football Harry, but I am afraid I can barely kick a ball straight. I wish I could, because it would be great to be a good footballer - although I am happy enough boxing! Can Bolton stay up? I certainly hope so, although at the moment it is not looking that good is it? Still, if we can string a few wins together, that would be great and hopefully we can pick up over Christmas and the New Year. I have always had good links with the club since Big Sam's days and still get on well with Gary Megson and the lads and love getting to The Reebok when I can. It's always nice to go out on the pitch and give everyone a wave because I am just like them, a Bolton boy and a Bolton fan.

You are a down-to-earth guy and seem to have the world at your feet at the age of just 22, How does that feel? And who is the person in your life that keeps you grounded? I would just like to add that I think that you're awesome and I try to watch every fight that I can. Nicola Swan
AMIR: It's mad Nicola, to be still only 22 and achieved so much. It has been like that since the Olympics really, so I am kind of used to it by now. But what drives me on is that more and more people are getting to know me and making myself a better fighter for my fans. My image is clean-cut and so I know I have to keep doing that and can't get caught up in all the showbiz stuff. Boxing is such a tough, tough sport I think it keeps you grounded naturally. Every fight is tough, every opponent is tough and that keeps you level-headed. If I do get carried away I am sure my friends and family will soon let me know about it, but that won't happen. I still live at home and believe me, still get told off by parents like anyone else!

Good luck on Saturday Amir, I hope people finally realise what a talent you are. I saw the piece on Sky Sports News and wondered when you are relaxing before a fight, what do you watch on the telly. Are you an x-factor fan - if so, who do you think will win! Nick Belshaw
AMIR: Well, I have to admit I don't mind watching the odd soap opera, EastEnders or Coronation Street, or the usual stuff like Deal or No Deal, Dragons Den, that sort of stuff - just like anyone else, really. I have to be honest, I occasionally watch the reality shows, like Dancing on Ice, I'm A Celebrity, but I've got to be honest Nick, I haven't been watching this series of the X Factor. I have been so busy preparing for this fight and have been away in America, so I missed the first half of the series and didn't really want to join in half-way through not knowing the full story! I have been approached to do plenty of TV, reality shows and otherwise, and wouldn't mind having a go but I have to be picky with what I agree to. All the reality stuff can can wait until the end of my career; maybe then I'll go in the jungle or do Dancing on Ice, but until then I am staying focussed on my boxing. I might even go on Strictly, see if I can't do better than Joe Calzaghe!