The unprecedented effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have led many to speculate that there may be more behind the devastating virus than meets the eye.

One man who believes that there might be a conspiracy plot at work is Amir Khan.

Per Russia Today, the former two-time world champion has dismissed the notion that the coronavirus was born in China, instead insisting that is part of a plot conceived to test new 5G mobile communication networks and "get rid of us all."

Whilst there is no scientific evidence which support his claims, Khan seemed convinced of its validity as he addressed the subject in a video posted to Instagram.

“I don’t think it’s coming from China...That’s a lie, really. People are saying that they were eating bats and snakes and the poison mixed. What b******t is that? Do you believe that? I don’t."

The 33-year-old told followers that he had researched the issue and was unwavering in his belief that the virus had been created by humankind, blaming, in particular, those involved with the testing of 5G networks.

“Coronavirus this, coronavirus that – you’re probably getting bored of it, as I am. Do you not think it’s anything to do with that 5G in these towers that are going up?

“It’s a manmade thing. It’s been put there for a reason – while they test 5G.

"It might be for population control – get rid of a lot of us, especially when they say that it harms old people.

"Look at these towers at nighttime that have been put up, then telling people not to go out.”

Khan had already made headlines this week, after being forced to deny rumours that he was considering retirement.

The Bolton-born star has not fought since his four-round demolition of Billy Dib in Saudi Arabia last July - and rumoured fights with both Manny Pacquiao and Kell Brook have failed to materialise since.

Khan, though, insisted during an Instagram live chat with promoter Eddie Hearn on Friday that he still plans to return to the ring, believing that he has a least two more fights left in him before he calls time on his career.

Khan may well be better served to focus on his in-ring activities than to publicly fuel coronavirus-related conspiracy theories at this point.

As a man with over 1.3 million Instagram followers, Khan has a fairly considerable platform over which to air his views - and is a man who has previously been lauded for his excellent charity work.

At a time where we could all do with reassuring one another, airing baseless coronavirus theories over social media is perhaps not the most useful contribution from Khan.