Khan backs Team GB

Khan: Olympic advice

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Amir Khan has backed the British Olympic boxing team to deliver the goods in the Beijing Olympics next month.

The Bolton boxer, who is now a professional after winning silver at the Athens Games in 2004 as a 17-year-old, believes all eight members of Team GB can win a medal.

The Commonwealth lightweight champion made his prediction at one of the team's final warm-up sessions before they head out to Macau for a week-long training camp.

He said: "We have eight boxers going out there and we have a chance to bring back eight medals, definitely.

"Every one of these boys is a great fighter. They are all capable and all they have to do is to stay focused."

Made me

He added: "Winning the silver medal changed my life and I think it can do the same for these guys. It made me what I am today.

"Winning a medal can change their whole lives personally and financially, so it's going to be a big boost for them and their families."

The boxing competition will begin on 8th August and the eight boxers heading to Beijing represents the highest number of fighters Team GB has fielded since Barcelona 1992.

Khan revealed he will give all the advice he can to help the eight succeed.

Bigger brother

He said: "I see myself as a bigger brother to the boys sometimes. I've been there, I've seen it, I've experienced it all so I'm going to give all the advice I can because I want these guys to come back with medals and do Britain proud."

The Bolton boxer singled out British lightweight star Frankie Gavin as Team GB's best medal prospect.

He spared with the Birmingham-based southpaw, who is current world champion, in the run-up to the Athens Games.

"Frankie has a hard punch and he's like a computer, he knows the scoring system inside out," said Khan.

"He is the best chance we have of bringing back a medal because he's world champion and he's very confident.

"He's peaked at just the right time, I can't wait to watch him in action."