BOXING promoters are expecting a sell out crowd for Bolton hero Amir Khan's professional debut.

Amir, who won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics, will be in action at the Bolton Arena on July 16.

And even though he does not top the fight night bill, almost half the tickets already sold for the 6,000 seat venue have gone to locals wanting to cheer him on.

Promoter Frank Warren switched the fight night, which features Matt Skelton's British Heavyweight title defence against Danny Williams to the Bolton arena from London. And the move seems to have paid off.

All the cheapest £35 tickets for the evening have already gone and Tony Vincent, box office manager for promoters Sports Network, says more than two thirds of the rest have been snapped up.

Tickets for the event have begun appearing on internet auction site eBay with someone offering to pay £265 for a pair of Row B tickets yesterday. Only tickets ranging from £50 to the ringside £120 seats are available through the box office and Mr Vincent says it would be ideal if Amir could have those seats filled with his supporters.

"It is going to be a great night for boxing," he said. "Amir Khan could go all the way and people will be able to say they were there when it all started."

Lightweight Khan is busy training for his part in the blockbuster "Who's the Daddy" show, although his opponent for the night has yet to be announced. Last month he gained revenge over Mario Kindelan, who pipped him to the post for the Olympic gold medal, by beating him at the Reebok stadium.

Other names on the bill for next month's professional fight include Michael Jennings who will challenge Jimmy Vincent for the vacant British Welterweight Championship.

Former British Light-Middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes, former WBU Light-Middleweight champion Takaloo and Welsh star Tony Docherty complete the card.