Amir Khan launches Global Fighters’ Union to improve safety standards, secure better pay for fighters and increase retirement benefits as he urges broadcaster to support ‘the new PFA of combat sports’

Former two-weight world champion Amir Khan has co-founded the Global Fighters’ Union (GFU) to address longstanding issues in combat sports, drawing on his own experiences in a career that spanned over two decades. 

The GFU, set to launch officially in January 2025, seeks to improve safety standards, secure better pay and benefits for fighters, and provide much-needed support structures in a largely unregulated industry.

Khan’s boxing journey highlights the challenges he aims to tackle. From navigating disputes over contracts to coping with injuries and the uncertainties of retirement, he acknowledges the lack of institutional support available to fighters. 

Reflecting on his career, which saw him unify world titles at light-welterweight and face legends like Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, Khan admitted that many fighters are left to fend for themselves both in and out of the ring. 

‘There has to be an organisation that’s above everything,’ Khan said. ‘We’ve all had issues—in training, before fights, after fights, at weigh-ins, on contracts, in retirement. We can’t turn to promoters or boards of control for so many issues. 

‘So to be able to turn to the Global Fighters’ Union for help and get it from people who have been there and done it not just between the ropes but in trade unions, in politics, in law, in the media and in education will be a massive positive change for everyone in our sport’.

Paul Smith (pictured on the left with Stephen Smith picture on the right) has said that a list of year 1 actions to be published shortly

The GFU is calling on broadcasters to adopt a model similar to the partnership between the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and football leagues, which allocates a portion of broadcast revenues to player welfare and grassroots development. 

By ensuring funds are directed toward health programs, legal support, and post-career transitions, the GFU aims to provide fighters with protections on par with athletes in other sports.

This will be achieved through the initiative ‘Fair Fight’, which work towards securing fair and transparent contracts, ensuring minimum pay guarantees, and advocating for equitable revenue sharing.

Funds will also support fighter safety, with investments in medical evaluations, advanced protective measures, and comprehensive health and wellness programs, including mental health support and rehabilitation. 

Additionally, the Union will use these resources to combat workplace discrimination, protect fighters’ image rights, and provide post-career transition support through education and career development opportunities. 

Speaking ahead of GFU’s launch, Paul Smith, former champion and co-founder, said: ‘We’ve spent 2024 laying the groundwork for the GFU to become a recognised trade union and we will launch it officially 1 year after we announced our plans to build it. 

‘Through 2024 our team, structure and targets have all been established, and we will start the process of change in combat sports with a list of year 1 actions to be published shortly. 

‘It’s the right time for a new organisation dedicated to improving the business of combat sports at all levels to emerge, and we are grateful for all the support which has got us to this point.’

Paul Maloney, former Leader of the GMB Union South and co-founder of the GFU, added: ‘The GFU will prioritise achieving parity for its members with regard to funding packages provided by other sporting rights owners to the trade unions representing their athletes. 

‘There is no place in modern sport for a landscape where workplace rights enjoyed by footballers and other sports people are denied to combat sports participants.’