Boxer Amir Khan marries in New York ceremony

Boxer Amir Khan has revealed he wanted to marry before he lost his looks as he swapped the boxing ring for a wedding ring.

The 26-year-old tied the knot with US student Faryal Makhdoom in a lengthy ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria in New York at the weekend.

And in an interview with Hello! magazine - which has also published the official photographs - he said he is a "changed man".

The Bolton-born champion married the 21-year-old political science student in a week-long, elaborate Islamic ceremony.

He joked: "I had to get in there and tie the knot quickly, before I got beaten up in too many fights and lose my looks."

Khan, who beat rival Julio Diaz in the ring just weeks ago, went on: "I've lived the young life, I've done everything I've wanted to do. Now is the right time to settle down and start my own family.

"I've got to look after Faryal, so I won't be going out as much partying with my friends. I don't want that any more - I want to do the family thing."

The boxer - pictured with his new bride wearing elaborately stitched red and gold robes - told the magazine: "I think I'll change as a person when I'm married and it'll be a big plus for me, I'll be able to be more focused on my job too."

The new Mrs Khan also spoke of her joy, and about her forthcoming move to Bolton in the feature, spread across 16 pages.

"I'm so happy to be with the man I love and to spend the rest of my life with him - it's a new chapter in my life," she said.

The full interview appears in the new edition of Hello! magazine, which is out now.