Post by Taxigirl on Sept 4, 2004 9:03:03 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3626950.stm
Olympic boxing silver medallist Amir Khan is to share his success with the people of Bolton on Saturday as he tours his home town on an open-top bus.
Khan, 17, who won silver in Athens, has been inundated with offers to turn professional and his coach insists amateur boxing must pay up or lose him.
Mick Jelley said: "I don't think Amir is going to turn pro - but the powers that be have got to make it viable.
"If you are offered £10 a week or £10,000, which would you take?"
But top promoter Frank Warren has urged Khan to cash in on his fame now, warning him: "You can't buy a house or feed your family with a gold medal."
Khan, however, reiterated on Friday his intent to stay amateur for the next Olympic Games, in Beijing in 2008, and his team has employed sports and commercial agents in a bid to get him some cash.
But they will have to take care with future endorsement deals to avoid a run-in with strict Amateur Boxing Association rules.
Asif Vali, of Elite Sports Management, which represents Khan, said: "Our intention is to make sure Amir can stay in the amateur game with enough funding to lead a comfortable life."
Khan took the silver in Athens after losing 30-22 to Cuban Mario Kindelan in the lightweight final on Sunday.
Mature
The teenager was already the European and world junior champion.
He said: "I'll be stronger and more mature for the next Olympics and hopefully I'll win gold and then have something behind me when I go professional," he said.
Khan's Team GB coach Terry Edwards, who guided him through his Olympics campaign, praised the boxer's decision.
"It is important for him to stay amateur for the next Olympics for the experience," he said.
"He needs more experience and more maturity."
Olympic boxing silver medallist Amir Khan is to share his success with the people of Bolton on Saturday as he tours his home town on an open-top bus.
Khan, 17, who won silver in Athens, has been inundated with offers to turn professional and his coach insists amateur boxing must pay up or lose him.
Mick Jelley said: "I don't think Amir is going to turn pro - but the powers that be have got to make it viable.
"If you are offered £10 a week or £10,000, which would you take?"
But top promoter Frank Warren has urged Khan to cash in on his fame now, warning him: "You can't buy a house or feed your family with a gold medal."
Khan, however, reiterated on Friday his intent to stay amateur for the next Olympic Games, in Beijing in 2008, and his team has employed sports and commercial agents in a bid to get him some cash.
But they will have to take care with future endorsement deals to avoid a run-in with strict Amateur Boxing Association rules.
Asif Vali, of Elite Sports Management, which represents Khan, said: "Our intention is to make sure Amir can stay in the amateur game with enough funding to lead a comfortable life."
Khan took the silver in Athens after losing 30-22 to Cuban Mario Kindelan in the lightweight final on Sunday.
Mature
The teenager was already the European and world junior champion.
He said: "I'll be stronger and more mature for the next Olympics and hopefully I'll win gold and then have something behind me when I go professional," he said.
Khan's Team GB coach Terry Edwards, who guided him through his Olympics campaign, praised the boxer's decision.
"It is important for him to stay amateur for the next Olympics for the experience," he said.
"He needs more experience and more maturity."