Can't Knock The Hustle

A professional athlete from the EVOLVE Fight Team, a father to one-year old baby Leon and a full-time student — 25-year old Muay Thai fighter, Amir Khan shares his pre- and post-fight routine.

- Bryan Goh

I used to think juggling school and my career would be impossible to handle. When we first had our son, I thought I would not have the time.

Now, I have opened my eyes and I know that there is time for anything if you are willing to be disciplined to make said time for it.

I am also a lot more willing to learn and improve in every aspect and area of my life — be it at work, at home or outside interactions with people.

24 HOURS BEFORE THE FIGHT

MORNING

I used to eat oats with nuts, blueberries, and strawberries. Oats are high in carbohydrate content and it helps fuel my glycogen storage. It is also where one’s main source of energy for the brain and body, which is especially useful for high-intensity sports.

I have recently started working with a sports nutritionist and he helps me optimize my eating habits while advising me on what is good or not to consume.

Now, I eat sugary cereals like honey stars in the morning when I wake up. The reason being is that sugary cereals help to release energy fast whereas raw oats take a longer time to release the energy needed to kickstart your day. For the types of intense training that I do in the morning, I need a quicker release of energy.

That is why these are the cereals that work for me and the recommended intake is also 45 grams of carbohydrates per hour.

We have started building a solid nutrition plan and this is what I will be following going forward in my daily life and for future fights.

AFTERNOON

Before the fight, I usually consume a high amount of carbohydrates, a moderate amount of protein, and a limited amount of fat.

If I eat chicken rice, I will get plain white rice instead of steamed chicken. I generally eat four to five meals per day, including snacks like bread and rice crackers.