AUDLEY Harrison has flown to Cyprus to lend his support to Britain's sole boxing representative, Bolton's Amir Khan.

The 17-year-old is bidding to emulate Harrison's achievement when he won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics four years ago, and Britain's heavyweight champion is only too glad to join the Khan corner.

As revealed exclusively in the Bolton Evening News two weeks ago, Harrison offered to take the teenager to Las Vegas to help with his training, but Khan's preparations were well advanced at that time, and a trip to see him at the Olympic training camp in Cyprus appeared the only option.

Harrison has now arrived and Khan is delighted.

"It is a dream come true to be boxing at the Olympics and to have the support of Audley is a massive bonus," said lightweight Khan.

"I have spoken to him a few times on the telephone and he has watched videos of some of my fights and has been very encouraging. Hopefully he is also coming to Athens to watch me fight.

Ian Irwin, performance director of the British boxing team and the man who oversaw Harrison's success in Australia, sees enough similarities between the two fighters to give hope that Khan can indeed make it on to the medal podium.

"The difference between winning and not winning at the Games is that mental toughness," said Turner.

"Audley Harrison certainly had that and developed it. Amir has similar characteristics. If nobody was nervous when competing on the world stage then there would be something wrong with them, but it is having that ability to convert that nervous tension into something positive.

"That's what Audley had and it is what Amir has. When he steps through those ropes he'll be boxing to his potential."

Khan was inspired to take up boxing after watching tapes of his sporting hero Muhammad Ali.

He was a bit of a scrapper as a kid and when he was just seven his father Shajaad decided to enrol him in a boxing club, and the rest is history.

"The first fight I saw was Ali against George Foreman in the 'rumble in the jungle' and I was hooked," explained Khan, a graduate of Bury ABC.

"His style was awesome, and ever since I have been watching his fights on video and reading books about him.

"I heard about how he won an Olympic gold medal at a young age so I know it can happen."

Khan's main rival will be the reigning Olympic champion in the 60kg category, Cuba's impressive Mario Kindelan.

In May, the Bolton College student fought Kindelan in a pre-Olympic tournament in Athens and, although he lost on points, his performance was encouraging enough to give Britain hope.

"I'll box anyone and I think I can go far and bring back a medal, I just need some luck behind me. I feel strong and confident and I am just looking forward to next Friday's draw," he added.

"If I don't manage gold I'll be back next time."