Sorry my Paki bros, but I can’t see Amir representing Pakistan when he’s got the chance to become a British world superstar. If that loudmouth useless twerp Hamed can get such a big following in the UK, expect Amir to take it to unknown heights if he breaks through to the big time as predicted
(I didn’t include the link as the story is taken from The Sun, a tabloid which might not go down well on this site 
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[thumb=D]amirkhan.JPG[/thumb]
**This kid Khan be the best **
By COLIN HART
AMIR KHAN returned to his Bury home this week with another gold medal hanging from his neck — and the usual superlatives ringing in his ears.
Khan was crowned European student lightweight champion in Rome — and the 16-year-old now hasn’t lost a bout for three years.
In 2003, he has also won the European cadets title in Lithuania and was named that tournament’s best boxer.
But more importantly he claimed the Olympic junior championship in Louisiana.
Since he started boxing competitively at the age of 11, Khan has collected more than 70 trophies.
Not bad for a kid still 18 days short of his 17th birthday.
**Amazing Amir gets rave reviews wherever he appears and it will surprise no one to learn professional promoters and managers are salivating at the thought of signing him.
Though I have never seen him in action, those who have say he is a much better prospect than Naseem Hamed was at the same age.
Paul King, the ABA’s Director of Development, has been monitoring Khan’s progress for six years.
King said: “Amir’s achievement has surpassed what any 16 or 17-year-old British boxer has ever done.
“I have never seen any kid with such an eye for a shot — Hamed is the only other one who comes close.”
**
Khan, who comes from a close-knit, middle-class family, was an extremely hyperactive child.
In an attempt to quieten him down his businessman father Shajaad took him along to Bury Amateur Boxing Club when he was eight.
**Mike Jelly, the coach, admitted: “I have never seen anyone as versatile.
“He can box and he can fight — and has got everything it takes to be a champion.
“Finding a kid who has the complete package is hard. It is difficult to find a weakness. If he has one, nobody has found it yet.”
**
Jelly knows how dangerous it is to overpraise someone as young as Amir as it is possible he will not develop further as he approaches adulthood.
Jelly added: “We must be cautious about the future because there is still such a long way to go.”
Amir seems mature for his age and has confidence in his ability to get to the top as an amateur and a pro.
When I spoke to him on his return from Italy, he said: “My plan is to go to next year’s Olympics in Athens, then the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 and turn professional when I’m 19.”
Olympic rules allow 17-year-olds to enter boxing but Khan knows he is facing a serious problems where Athens is concerned.
The ABA’s regulations forbid youngsters to compete at senior level until they are 18.
Amir and his father plan to have talks with ABA officials to try to persuade them to back down so he can take part in the qualifying contests that begin in February.
He has set his heart on going to Athens and has a trump card to play that is bound to focus ABA minds.
**Because of his family background, Khan is also eligible to represent Pakistan.
And Pakistani sports authorities have made it clear if Britain say ‘no Khan do’ they will grab him for their team.**
It would of course be much more sensible and a great deal safer if Khan put his Olympic dream on hold until Beijing in 2008 when he will be a man.
