BOXING sensation Amir Khan not only has the world at his feet - but usually his opponents as well writes David Magilton

Amir has quickly built up a fearsome reputation, which he recently underlined when he lifted his third national title - the British Junior Championship, to add to his British Schoolboy and Lads Club titles.

In fact the 16-year-old has made such an impact that he now finds it difficult to find challengers who will fight him.

He has already made his mark on the international scene captaining the England team at the Four Nations, but is now preparing for perhaps his biggest challenge.

The Smithills High School pupil has faced a busy month, as not only has he had to sit his GCSE exams, but had to prepare to fly out to the United States for the Junior Olympics.

He is confident he can handle the pressures saying: "I have the motivation to do well and I know what I should be doing. It is a busy time but I have still found the time to revise and fit in the training."

If he can impress on the world stage then he will be in line for selection to the European Championships in August.

Amir, who takes his inspiration from Muhammed Ali, admits his ultimate ambition is to be the world champion, but has first set his sights on a Commonwealth Games gold medal before he turns professional.

"I want to become a professional at 19 which means I can try and get in the Commonwealth Games, but I may not be able to wait for the Olympics in China."

Amir has a string of successes to his name with more than 70 trophies and medals and his fight record speaks for itself.

He has had 65 bouts since he was 13 and lost only seven. Three of those losses came in his first season and he has now gone an impressive 33 fights without defeat.

"My style is a boxer with straight punches, but I can fight as well. I have a good jab, left hook and a right hand," he said.

His coach Mike Jelly, based at Bury Boxing Club, has worked with thousands of youngsters over the years but admits that Amir is something special.

He said: "He can change his tactics accordingly and is very versatile. He can box, fight or run away and is very fit. He has got everything it takes to be a champion.

"He has got all the things wrapped into one and that is why I think he will be a world champion in 10 years time.

"Finding the complete package is very hard and that is what he has. It is hard to find a weakness and, if he has one, then nobody has found it yet.

"There is still a long way to go, however, and we must be cautious about the future."

Amir, who leaves school this summer to take up an apprenticeship as a plumber, has a strict training regime, but as his father Shajaad admits he does not need any persuading.

"I am very proud of him and it is all down to himself," he said.

"He works hard and trains hard. I do not need to tell him what to do as he does it himself. He is very determined to get to the top."

The family, who live at Heaton, is building an impressive sporting dynasty.

Amir's cousin is Lancashire Cricket Club's new pace bowling find, Shajid Mahmood, who has quickly established himself as a regular member of the county line-up after playing for Astley Bridge in the Bolton League last season.

"He is my dad's brother's lad and we are close friends," said Amir. "He has been to a few fights and I have watched him play."