04 September 2004	Saturday	18 Rajab 1425

LONDON, Sept 3: Amir Khan, the 17-year-old British silver medallist in the lightweight division at Athens, said Friday he wanted to "win gold" in Beijing before turning professional.

Amir, whose success in Athens was a revelation even to his own countrymen, told a press conference in his native Bolton in northern England: "The Olympics have not changed anything. "I want to win the gold medal. My ambition is to stay amateur until the next Olympics, get the gold medal, and then turn professional," he said.

He lost in the final to veteran Cuban boxer Mario Kindelan. "At the end of the fight, Kindelan asked me if I was going to turn professional and I said I didn't know, but he said with him retiring I could dominate the 60 kilos category," Amir said. But he added that if the fight had gone 10 rounds, instead of the four at the Games, he would have beaten Kindelan. His father, Shajaad said: "There are people interested in Amir turning professional but he is too young at this stage. I think the time would be when he is about 21, after the Beijing Games."

Coach Mike Jelley predicted his charge would come under extreme pressure. "If someone gives you 10 pounds a week spending money and someone else comes along with 10,000 pounds a week, what are you going to do?" he asked.

Amir's backers said they would be seeking funding from sponsors to help him remain an amateur. Amir, who is preparing to return to his schooling at Bolton Community College, said: "I was very surprised. All the support I'm getting has been brilliant. It builds my confidence up and makes me more motivated when I box." -dpa