'Winners never quit and quitters never win'

Aspiring boxers such as Steve Schofield and Luke Watkinson have witnessed the rise of Heaton's favourite son and they too want some of the action.

But the dreaming is the easy part, as both lads well know. There is some serious work to be put in.

Boxing is no easy ride. Watching them train at the impressive Bolton Lads & Girls Club, you realise just how hard this game is. And if the message still has not sunk in, the posters on the wall are there to deliver the sucker punch. "Winners never quit and quitters never win," says one. "If you are not committed then don't expect others to be," another.

Looking at the 20 to 30 lads in here, smacking the punch bags, battling through gruelling rounds of sit-ups and press-ups, and sparring in the ring, provides convincing evidence of commitment.

But when one of your peers is about to fight an Olympic semi-final lightweight bout and, even if he loses, is guaranteed a bronze medal, then all the encouragement in the world is there. Amir's success acts as a spur for the lads, just as watching videos of Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson inspired club coach Mark Tustin.

Bolton lad Mark, aged 25, started boxing with the Lads Club to help channel his aggression which was bringing him trouble at school. As well as coaching, Mark's dedication has helped him make it into the ring - many don't actually reach that stage.

Mark, who has so far won four bouts, says: "I first came here to take my aggression out on the punch bags and it worked.

"Then the coach approached me and asked if I would like to take it a step further and have bouts and compete. It all developed from there, really.

"I boxed and then took my coaching course. I do both now, so it's the best of both worlds."

Mark says Amir's Olympic success has encouraged the youngsters and brought more into the club. "What Amir's done has inspired the kids here. I've sparred with him here and he's like lightning - by the time you've realised he's thrown a punch he's away."

Anyone under the impression that a couple of training sessions a week will soon see them emulating 17-year-old Amir's success is in for a shock.

"You have to train hard to be like that. You have to train every day - you can't just do two days here and three days there. You've got to have the ambition and the heart of a lion.

"My typical day is to get up at 6.30am, go running for 40 minutes before work, then train at night and do more running. It's training three times a day.

"I have a strict diet - brown bread, boiled eggs, chicken and grapefruit and I don't really drink.

"You have to go to bed early and rise early. These are just things you have to do to become a boxer. It's a full-time job.

"You have to work hard because when you step into the gym you are on your own," Mark says.

While Mark may not have had the same success as Amir Khan, he is determined to make it in boxing. He is also keen to help others escape problems they may be having away from the club and find a positive outlet for their anger.

"I want to take it as far as I can and go into coaching to see the young kids come through.

"People don't understand that a lot of these kids are having a bad time at home or at school and they come here to take out their frustrations on the bags instead of the streets.

"This place gives them an ambition. If they train hard they can box, if they don't they can't," he says.

Mark, whose next bout is at Bolton Town Hall on September 23, also believes the rise of lightweight boxing has led to more youngsters expressing an interest in that division of the sport. "It's a lot faster and more skilful in my opinion. People like watching it, whereas heavyweight boxing can appear a bit sluggish."

One of the youngsters Mark helps coach is 15-year-old Steve Schofield. He has been boxing at the club for four-and-a-half years and trains three times a week.

Steve, a pupil at Deane School, wants to make it as a boxer and believes people such as Amir provide hope for everyone.

"I've always wanted to be a boxer. I used to watch it on television at my grandad's when I was little.

"Amir Khan winning makes me want to put more effort in. It makes us all feel like that.

"We're coming into season now so we are doing a lot more sparring, but out of season we work on technique like our footwork.

"It's really hard but you have to put the effort in if you want to get anywhere," he says.

Nine-year-old Luke Watkinson is one of the younger boxers at the club. The Westhoughton Primary School pupil has watched Amir with interest and is keen to make it in the sport.

Luke, who started boxing in May 2002 at the age of seven, says Manchester's Ricky Hatton is his favourite boxer, but adds: "I want to be a boxer when I'm older. It's hard, but it's good here.

"Amir Khan used to train here and he's done really well. It will be a success if he gets to the final, but I don't know if he'll win it." One thing is for sure though, whether Amir wins or not, he is helping to inspire thousands of lads across the country to put on their gloves and box.

Factfile

Amir Khan first visited the gym at just eight years of age and had his first competitive fight at 11

His younger brother Haroon is said to be an even better prospect

If Amir takes gold he will have bettered Muhammad Ali's achievement of taking first prize at 18 and will be the youngest winner since America's Floyd Patterson in 1952

The philosophy of the Bolton Lads & Girls Club is: "By getting youngsters off the streets and involving them in a range of activities, particularly sports, they can begin to fulfil their potential, develop self esteem and start on the road to becoming responsible citizens."

Bolton Lads & Girls Club can be contacted on 01204 540100.