British lightweight boxing sensation Amir Khan insists he will resist big money offers to turn professional so that he can have another shot at becoming Olympic champion at the 2008 Games.
Britain's Amir Khan (left), who fights with Mario Kindelan of Cuba, left a lasting impression in the Athens Games. Picture: AP |
He may have fallen short of fulfilling his dream, but Khan has lit up the tournament with some scintillating performances and appears destined for greater things.
His stock has risen so dramatically at the Olympics that promoters are expected to try and tempt the boy from Bolton into the professional world with an open cheque book.
British promoter Frank Warren has already told newspapers that Khan might quit the amateur scene in two years, but the affable teenager has dismissed such suggestions, saying he wants to fight at the Beijing Olympics first.
"I want to remain as an amateur until I'm 22," said Khan, who was hoping to become the youngest Olympic champion since Floyd Patterson at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
"I got to the finals and that was a fantastic achievement and I've learned a lot. But I still need more experience and I've got plenty of years ahead of me. I want to fight for the gold in Beijing.
"After the fight, (Kindelan) told me, 'You've been a brilliant fighter,'" Khan said. "'You stick around, and you'll be the next gold medallist and the next world champion."
Khan's coach Terry Edwards said his time will come after his defeat to Kindelan.
"He's done exceptionally well when you consider that this was only his 14th senior contest and he was up against one of the best pound-for-pound boxers around," Edwards said.
