All Hail Classy Khan As the New Kid on the Block

Class transcends all national boundaries. During his second electrifying Olympic victory yesterday, Britain's 17-year-old Amir Khan was again roared on by his own animated knot of supporters in the Peristeri boxing hall, but on this occasion there were also many neutral observers whose applause rang out just as warmly. The word was out that here was someone very special.

Khan's experience outside the junior ranks is strictly limited, and the Bolton-born boxer had been expected to be given a tough fight by Bulgaria's Dimitar Stilianov, the European champion and twice a world medal winner. But all the tension that had temporarily stifled the youngster at the start of his first bout had disappeared. Stilianov simply could not cope.

"Amir is an absolute breath of fresh air," said Britain's national coach Terry Edwards, who added that since the young fighter came into his life he felt "20 years younger". Khan grinned a little sheepishly, suddenly looking considerably younger than he had appeared in the ring, where his confidence and poise, to say nothing of his dazzling skills, belied his youth.

"Each time he fights he surprises me," Edwards said. "Make no mistake, Stilianov is a classy fighter and he didn't have a bad fight - he just met a better boxer on the day. Amir is absolutely tremendous."

There is already something of a professional demeanour about Khan when he enters the ring. This is not to say he is flash or bumptious, but he has a bearing of invincibility, an inner conviction of his own capabilities. One more win and he will have a bronze medal.

"My eyes have always been on the next Olympics in Beijing and a gold medal," he said. "This is a bonus."

Ring craft is the one major attribute he lacks, but he is a fast learner. He may be only 17 but the men who run professional boxing in Britain are itching to get him signed up before the 2008 games.

Edwards bridles at the very idea. "He's just come out of the juniors and already he is being bracketed in the same league as Muhammad Ali," he said. "Sometimes I'm aghast at what I hear and read. Amir has his feet on the ground and he will decide on his future when the time is right." But the pressure on him to turn pro is bound to be intense.

The first round was close, the Bulgarian catching Khan on the counter. But the British boxer, as promised, had started altogether more sharply and quickly compared with his opening bout, and by the second round Stilianov was being hustled out of his usual measured approach and was fraying at the edges.

Khan moved forward with impressive freedom in that second round, and by the end of the third he had opened a 25-17 lead. A low punch, totally accidental, earned him a gentle reproach, although there was never a question of him losing points.

Stilianov, 10 years older, knew the game was up and was well beaten, 37-21. Khan was hugged by Edwards and afterwards gave a broad wink to his father, Shajaad.

He next faces the Korean Baik Jong-Sub in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. "Terry and me will be watching the videos like we did for Stilianov," said Khan. "I know I can get a medal here." After yesterday few doubted his optimism.