LONDON, July 13: Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan will bid farewell to his life as an amateur on Saturday but has tipped brother Haroon to follow in his footsteps at the 2012 Games in London.

Amir, who picked up his silver as a lightweight in Athens last summer, kicks off his professional career in Bolton, nothern England, on Saturday against David Bailey.

But he said Wednesday that in seven years’ time he hopes to be a world champion and sitting ringside watching Haroon chase gold.

“Hopefully in 2012 I will be a world champion and Haroon can become an Olympic gold medallist at the same time,” said Amir

“I am sure it will inspire kids to get involved in sport with the aim of taking part in the London Olympics.

“I was the only British boxer in Athens last year and that was not good enough but I am sure there will be many more by then because of the extra competition the 2012 Games will generate.”

Haroon, 14, is already causing a stir in the amateur ranks after claiming a Four Nations Schoolboy title last year, and making the semifinals of this year’s Golden Gloves where he suffered a controversial defeat.

Haroon will miss the Beijing Games in 2008 due to age restrictions but father Shah believes he will be at his peak in time for London - and has the potential to be even better than his elder brother.

Shah said: “Haroon now has this great inspiration to work and train harder in order to try and make it for the London 2012 team.

“He goes through the motions sometimes but I am sure this will give him the extra boost he needs.

“I think Haroon is a lot sharper and stronger than Amir was when he was 14. So if he applies himself there is no reason why he cannot bring a gold medal back.”—AFP