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Abdul Khan was in Nappies when his cousin Amir won the hearts of the nation and a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
When world champion Amir produced a career-defining performance against Marcos Maidana in 2010, Abdul was watching the seven-year-old Bolton wide-eyed.
Featherweight Abdul faces journeyman Liam Fitzmaurice in a watershed moment at Wembley on Saturday. For British South Asian Boxing.
The card is headlined by undefeated light-welterweight Adam Azim and features prospects Mohammad Bilal Ali, Vijayraj Karia and Shakib Mehmood in previous bouts – meaning five South Asian fighters will share the bill.
“Seeing Amir reach the heights of the sport ignited a fire in probably most South Asian kids, including me,” Abdul, 23, told BBC Sport.
Aamir rose to fame after winning silver in Athens at the age of 17 and the world title at light-welterweight, becoming one of Britain’s most high-profile boxers.
Unbeaten in 14 professional fights with three knockouts, Abdul is the first to admit that his title helped carve his path. Family connections even led him to fight on the undercard of Amir’s final professional fight against Kell Brook.
But after building his record on the small-hall scene and on international cards, it was time to step out of the family shadow.
“It was always like being known as Amir’s cousin because of what he achieved,” Abdul said. “I’m grateful for what he did to open the door – but it’s okay to go through the door, that’s how good you are to be in that room.
“It’s my own hard work and dedication that has kept these doors open. It just pushes me more to come out of the shadows. I think we’re all our own people and I want to shed that tag of Aamir’s cousin.
“My team has always told me to build properly and explode when the time comes – now is my time.
“He’s done a lot for me but I don’t want to write anyone else’s name, you’ll just appreciate it more – and be appreciated – if you do it this way.”
