BURY boxer Amir Khan has been hailed as the best in the world after storming to an imperious third national title.

The 16-year-old hammered promising Sheffield fighter Nicky Smedley, with a 27-5 points win securing his third Junior ABA Championship in four years.

The triumph, against an opponent ten months and three pounds his senior, comes on the back of the National Schoolboy and National Association of Boys Clubs titles he already has to his name this year.

Now he looks certain to represent England in the 'Mini-Olympics' across the pond in July, taking on the best juniors from Mexico, Canada and the USA.

And Mike Jelly, his coach at Bury Amateur Boxing Club, reckons there is no-one in any corner of the world capable of beating his protege.

"Sometimes it's hard to realise just how good this lad is," he said.

"He's the top kid in the country and he's beating lads who are 12 months older than him. So, when he starts going in for these competitions around the world, I don't think there is anyone the same age anywhere who can beat him."

Khan clinched the Class Five, aged 16-17, Junior ABA title with a dominant display that culminated in a fearsome third and final round which had his bewildered opponent reeling and lucky to stay on his feet.

"He went out to try and knock him out in the first two rounds because he always wants to do so well but that didn't work," added Jelly.

"I told him he was trying too hard and to just go out and do his normal job in the third round. He did and he absolutely wrecked him.

"The fight was nearly stopped and he did force a standing count. He just hurt his opponent with every punch and wasn't getting hurt at all.

"I'm absolutely over the moon for him. He's going to develop into a great fighter and he'll make a fantastic living from the sport."

Amir has also been put forward for the Sky Junior Sports Personality 2003 -- an award presented by the Duke of York in London later this year.