PROUD dad Shajaad Khan watched with tears in his eyes as his son Amir became the youngest Briton to win an Olympic boxing medal.

And with 17-year-old Bolton boxing sensation guaranteed at least a bronze medal, his father joked: "We will now have to get a proper cabinet to put the medal in."

Mr Khan, who is in Athens to cheer his son on, said he could not believe the ease in which Amir reached Friday's semi-final.

The Heaton teenager guaranteed himself a place in the record books with his 97-second victory over South Korea's Baik Jong-sub, and is just one step away from the final after a dramatic first round stoppage.

Mr Khan said: "That was an incredible performance. It was awesome. He boxed briliantly. It was incredible.

"When he caught him the first time, the guy did not want to get up. He hit him again and the referee stepped in. He is guaranteed a medal and nobody can take it off him."

Mr Khan has been a colourful character at the Games in his Union Flag waistcoat. Other members of the Khan family are flying out to Athens on Wednesday afternoon to watch Amir's semi-final fight on Friday.

Meanwhile, back in Amir's home town, teenagers at his old youth club cheered their hero's victory.

More than 200 youngsters crowded around the big screen at Bolton's Lad's and Girl's Club and whooped with delight when the referee stopped the fight with 23 seconds of the first round still to go.

The teenage boxer is still a firm favourite at the Spa Road club, where his talent was obvious from an early age.

Alex Matvienko, a boxing coach at the club, said: "He's got everything. He's brave, fast, got good hand speed, he moves in and out, he's very elusive, and throws his punches at great angles.

"He still comes down to the club and spars with us. He's great with the novices, speaking to them and giving them advice."

Friend and Tonge Moor boxer Robin White said: "He's going to be massive, bigger than Ricky Hatton or Prince Naseem Hamed."

Jerry Glover, chief executive at the Lad's and Girl's Club, said: "It's an awesome achievement. Everybody here is so proud of him."

I think his success is Britain's biggest achievement of the Olympics so far."

Club member John Szekely said: "It was just a fantastic performance and great for everybody in Bolton. Let's hope he brings that gold medal back home."

"He's a fantastic lad and a really hard woker and he's getting everything he deserves."

Tom Brammer, aged 19, said: "I can't see anyone stopping him winning the gold medal now. He's got youth on his side and can go right to the top.

"It's going to be tough a decision to make when they start waving millions of pounds under his nose to turn professional. But he's not cocky and is the kind of person who will keep his feet on the floor."

Amir put in another impressive display and was running away with the bout 10-2 when the referee stepped in after 1 minute and 37 seconds.

The Korean was no match for the fast footwork and lightning punches of the Bolton teenager, who is Britain's only boxing representative at the Olympics.

The stunned Asian fighter was knocked down early in the first round and had no answer to Amir's speed as he rained down blow after blow.