Amir Khan robbed of his £72,000 watch at gunpoint in east London

19 April 2022, 07:22 | Updated: 19 April 2022, 07:53

Amir Khan had his £72,000 watch stolen at gunpoint
Amir Khan had his £72,000 watch stolen at gunpoint. Picture: Instagram/Alamy

By Asher McShane

Former boxing world champion Amir Khan has said he was robbed at gunpoint in London on Monday evening.

The 35-year-old posted on Twitter saying he and his wife Faryal were safe after an incident in which he was confronted by two men in Leyton, with his watch being stolen.

Khan tweeted: "Just had my watch taken off me at gun point in East London, Leyton.

"I crossed the road with Faryal, luckily she was few steps behind me. Two men ran to me, he asked for my watch whist having a gun pointed in my face.

"The main thing is we're both safe."

The watch stolen is understood to be a diamond-encrusted Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph worth around £72,000.

Hours before the incident, the boxer was pictured with a fan while shopping in Oxford Street wearing the watch, which is worth around £72,000 and is studded with 719 diamonds.

Scotland Yard said: “Police were called at 9.15pm on Monday, April 18 to High Road, Leyton.

“A man aged in his 30s is alleged to have been approached by two males who threatened him with a firearm before stealing his watch and fleeing.

“There were no reports of any shots fired or any injuries. Police responded and conducted an area search.

“At this very early stage there have been no arrests.

“An investigation has begun and police are following a number of enquiries.”

Khan, the former WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion, was beaten by fellow Briton Kell Brook via a sixth-round stoppage in Manchester in February.

That was the sixth defeat of a professional career featuring 34 wins, 21 by knockout.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference CAD 6753/18 Apr or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.