Amir Khan's younger brother Haroon to fight for Pakistan in Commonwealth Games

Haroon Khan the younger brother of World Boxing Association light-welterweight champion and British Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan, has been named in Pakistan’s team for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

Khan, 19, who will fight at 52kg for Pakistan, represents Bury ABC, has fought for England on a number of occasions, but has claimed he was left out in the cold by the selectors.

Amir Khan had faced a similar scenario in 2004, when boxing officials said he was too young, at 17, to go to the Olympic Games in Athens. He had won the world junior lightweight title in South Korea early in 2004, and the family threatened to offer his services to the Pakistan Olympic squad.

The younger Khan, a flyweight, lost in the national championships before the quarter-final stage this year. He won the 2009 Junior ABA title, and has fought 76 amateur bouts, with 61 wins and 15 defeats.

Pakistan gave Haroon an automatic selection at 52kg, a division below his fighting weight in the ABAs.

Haroon is convinced that he will bring back a medal to put alongside his brother’s silver, from the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but says he would still jump at the chance of representing England if he got the call.

“To have the opportunity to go to a Commonwealth or a major championship, anyone would take it,” he said.

“I have got a letter from the England camp inviting me there and if they gave me the chance I would jump at it.”

His decision to fight for Pakistan has received the backing of Amir, who said: “Haroon wants to fight in the Games, and if that is the only way, he has to take it. He won’t get that chance again.”