BOLTON'S Amir Khan clinched his place in the quarter-finals of the Olympic lightheavyweight boxing competition with a massive 37-21 points win over European champ Dimitar Stilianov.

Khan, who admitted to feeling nervous before his first-round win over Greece's Marios Kaperonis, made a positive start and took the fight to his experienced opponent.

Stilianov is a respected counter-puncher who caught Khan with a couple of decent shots in the first minute of the opening round.

However, Khan was a lot quicker than the Bulgarian and landed a couple of decent right hands himself.

He held a narrow 8-7 advantage at the first bell, but turned on the style in the second round and nailed his opponent with some brilliant combinations.

Spurred on by the British fans at ringside, he dominated the next two rounds to open up a seven-point lead going into the last.

Stilianov had no answer to the speed and movement of his young opponent and Khan caught him with a number of hurtful shots to secure a deserved victory.

Earlier Bury Amateur Boxing Club coach Mike Jelley backed Amir Khan to bring home a medal from Athens.

And the man who, in the past few years, has guided the Bolton student to become one of the brightest young stars in the game, believes there is no reason why his prize pupil can't win through to the next stage.

And that's despite a massive difference in age and experience.

"I'm absolutely convinced he can beat Stilianov," said Jelley.

"The only problem I can see is that the Bulgarian is a bit elusive, he doesn't come to fight and that could frustrate Amir if he allows it too.

"But Amir is an intelligent boxer and can work things out in the ring as a fight progresses.

"It may be the case that he 'gets on his bike' himself we'll have to see."

Jelley's disappointment at not being in Khan's corner (ABA coach Terry Edwards has that job) has been tempered with the news that he will be able to get involved in his pre-fight schedule.

The powers-that-be in Athens have granted him a day-pass, which will allow him to help with Khan's preparations in what is sure to be a tough assignment.

The European champion has come down from light-welterweight where he picked up medals from several major tournaments.

Tough and cagey, Stilianov has been stopped though, and there is a school of thought that he may be happier at the heavier weight.

And if he has to be 'boiled down' to get inside the 60kg weight level, Khan can be expected to take full advantage.

"Amir's fitness is good and he has no injuries to his hands which can be a problem when you are involved in competitions like these," added Jelley.

"I think the fact that he is fighting his second bout four days after his first will help him too.

"The Irish lad (middleweight Andy Lee) fought last Saturday and his second outing isn't until this Saturday.

"It can work against you as you need to keep active."

Jelley, who is out in Athens with Khan's father Shajaad and his brothers, was invited to a plush dinner this week to commemorate 100 years of Olympic Boxing.

The invitations were issued by Professor Anwar Chaudry, president of the International Amateur Boxing Association (IABA), who is a friend of Shajaad.

"It was a wonderful affair and guest of honour was the legendary Cuban runner Roberto Juantereno," he added.

"Everybody in the room received a book on the history of the sport of boxing from it's earliest days in Egypt, it's a fabulous keepsake."

The invitation was a timely reward for 60-year-old Jelley's 40-year association with Bury ABC, the club started by his father Joe 'Pop' Jelley almost 70 years ago.

But the biggest prize for the coach would be to see his boy return to Lancashire with a medal around his neck.