Former world champion Amir Khan is set to bring top-level professional boxing to Nigeria for the first time, with Lagos hosting Chaos in the Ring on Independence Day, October 1.
The event, promoted by Khan’s AK Promotions in partnership with Balmoral Group Promotions, will headline Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations with a cruiserweight bout between Brandon Glanton and Marcus Browne. British light-heavyweight Dan Azeez is also scheduled to feature on the card.
Khan, who retired from professional boxing in 2022 after his defeat to Kell Brook, said the Lagos show represents the next step in his mission to expand the sport in Africa and the Middle East.
“You can imagine the hype — everyone will have the day off and will want to come,” Khan said from his Dubai base. “Why Africa? I think it’s an untouched market.”
The show follows Khan’s debut promotion in Ghana earlier this year. He explained that a key theme of his promotional vision is taking fighters back to their roots, citing Londoner Ohara Davies’ recent fight in Ghana, where his parents are from.
Khan acknowledged the challenges of promotion, including difficult negotiations and financial demands, but believes his own career experience across Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden and with promoters such as Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn gives him the perspective to succeed.
“I’m not expecting to make anything in the next couple of years,” Khan said. “I made promoters millions — let’s see if they’ll do the same for me now.”
While focused on building his promotion business, Khan did not rule out a return to the ring, saying only bouts against Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather could tempt him back.
For now, the 37-year-old says his priority is building boxing’s presence across Africa and the Middle East, with long-term plans to expand into the UK and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season fight circuit.
