BOXING hero Amir Khan has fought his way into the public conscience with a masterful display of skill and gritty determination.

At just 17, he is the youngest boxer ever to win an Olympic medal since the 1950s.

With a sensible head on his shoulders, and a gentlemanly demeanour, the former Smithills school pupil provides a sterling example to other youngsters.

Amir Khan was born on December 8, 1986. He was a scrawny child, but his fighting talent shone through at an early age -- in the unlikely setting of Devonshire Road primary school's playground.

An energetic youngster, Amir got himself into a number of scrapes in school, and he was even expelled from a nursery school for fighting when he was a tot.

Mum Falak said: "He had so much energy as a boy, and he was very hyperactive.

"He never stopped and could not sit still. Occasionally he got himself into little fights at school -- and gave out quite a few bleeding noses.

"Me and his father were called in to school about it sometimes because he could be a bit rougher than other boys.

"He wasn't a bully, he just enjoyed a bit of a fight like boys do, and he knew how to use his fists."

His father took him to Halliwell Boxing Club in an attempt to provide an outlet for his liveliness.

That was where Amir pulled on the gloves for the first time aged eight.

Mrs Khan said: "As soon as he walked in, Amir started hitting the punch bag without any encouragement, and was very good at it.

"It was a talent, and he was so strong in the ring. Even when he was little we could tell he would make a good boxer.

"It became all he was interested in. As he got a bit older, Amir would go running, and we set up some gym equipment and a sand punchbag in the garage for him to practise."

Young Amir soon moved to Bolton Lads and Girls Club, where he began amassing the trophies which take up an entire wall of the family's Tudor Avenue home.

He started training at Bury Amateur Boxing Club twice a week at the age of 11, as well as jogging two miles every day and training in his DIY garage gym during the small number of hours he was actually at home.

Mrs Khan said: "He never stopped, and did it all willingly.

"He never needed to be pushed and wanted to train all the time. When he was not boxing or training, he was asleep. It became his life."

It was with Bury ABC that he made a name for himself picking up countless wins and prestigious titles, travelling all over the world to represent the club.

His training inspired younger brother Haroon to take up the sport, as Amir passed on tips which he had learnt.

Haroon, aged 13, and also a pupil at Smithills, said: "He would come back from his classes and he would practise at home all the time, and I would help him, doing some sparring. His success made me want to box too."

Hard-working Amir juggled his hobby with school, where he was popular, and managed nine GCSEs during his time at Smithills.

Head teacher John Lawson said: "We are absolutely delighted by Amir's progress. He was an exemplary student when he was here, with a very real talent."

Mr Lawson said Amir was "totally devoted" to boxing during his time at the school and was popular with pupils and teachers alike.

He was also a talented athlete -- taking local titles in 1,500m running and javelin events -- and played rugby, football and cricket at school.

Amir received invaluable support from his friends -- who understood his level of commitment to the sport.

Although he is now on the road to boxing superstardom, Amir initially had a very different career in mind -- as a plumber.

He had intended to take up an apprenticeship in the trade when he left Smithills, but due to sporting commitments, Amir plumped for a two-year Sports Development course at Bolton College, on Manchester Road.

He is due to start his second year there next month, and put off exams until next year to take part in the Olympics -- while his friends in Bolton were collecting their results. Amir hopes to go to university when

he leaves college, to study sports science or physiotherapy at Loughborough. Although his hectic training schedule and dedication to boxing take up a lot of his time, Amir still manages to relax with his pals. Haroon said: "He watches quite a bit of telly. He sometimes plays cricket with me and some of our friends down at the park. He's no good at it, but thinks that he is. He should stick to boxing."

While in Athens, Amir also made time for another of his passions -- Bolton Wanderers. As a huge fan, Amir made sure he was kept updated with their progress while he was in Athens. Close friend Asif Vali, who travelled to Greece with Amir's father Shah, said: "When he found out by text message that Jay-Jay had scored he went nuts. He's a massive Bolton fan."

Family members are surprised at hearing girls coming forward to say they are Amir's girlfriend -- as they insist the champ is currently single. Haroon said: "His coach sees him more than we do, never mind anyone else."

A Muslim, Amir prays before every boxing match -- both inside and out of the ring. His sister Tabina said: "It's something he's always done since day one. He prays in the hotel room before the match and once he gets in the ring. That is his only routine or superstition before a fight." Amir is so popular with neighbours, that they have even been watching Amir's fights at his family home with his relatives.

May Foden, who lives close to the Khan's said: "I've been recording the fights for my grandson abroad, as he used to play with Amir on the punchbag in the garage sometimes when they were little. Amir is so polite. He is an extremely helpful young man."

Mrs Khan said: "When he was little, we did not dream of this. Who would have thought he would get so far? We thought he would do well in 2008 when he will be 21, but my son's dream has come true early for him.

"We could not be more proud."