THE fit youngster in the white sports shirt and tracksuit bottoms could have been any lad from any street in Bolton writes Angela Kelly

But, this is boxer Amir Khan, coming home from the Olympics with a silver medal. So, you have to add a raft of press cameras, TV lights and assorted media people clustering around the table where he is sitting.

Dad Shah and coach Mick Jelley are on one side, management and advisers on the other. He may be a relatively slight figure amid the suits but aleady Amir Khan is a giant in the world of sport.

Every Olympics watcher has seen the Heaton 17-year-old and marvelled at the equal measures of skill, bravery and composure he showed, both in the ring and out of it.

At his first press conference in this country -- fittingly held in Bolton's Arena which figured so prominently in that other amateur sportsfest the Commonwealth Games -- Amir was as cool as ever.

First of all, the debunking of the rumours by a spokesman.

He is not turning professional yet. He has not signed up to a boxing promoter. He is not getting married.

True, he will now be surrounded by a team of prominent sports lawyers because, as Asif Vali of Elite Sports Management explained, the commercial interest is "phenomenal".

As for Amir, his life is still all about boxing.

"I wanted a gold medal and my ambition is to stay for the next Olympics and win gold," he said.

He revealed how, after the final, the newly-retired champion Cuban Mario Kindelan had urged him to resist the lure of professionalism and focus on the next Games in Beijing.

"He told me not to turn pro because I would dominate at 60kgs and I will be world champion and Olympic gold medallist.

As for the future: "I've got the world championships next year and the Commonwealth Games coming up, so I'm sure the next four years will soon go past."

He will be back in the gym soon "working on my speed with Mick and watching videos from the Olympics".

Is he in any danger of the arrogance that some champion boxers display? Dad Shah was adamant: "He's a down-to-earth lad. He'll stay just the same."

And how does Amir feel about being a role model for so many youngsters -- especially the young local Asian lads who now insist they are all "Amir's cousin"?

"It's good," he said, laughing. "There are lots of lads out there, some Asian lads, who could do well in boxing. They might get medals, too."

In fact, as Mick Jelley explained, they are having to turn hopefuls away at his Bury boxing club.

"We don't like having to do that," said Mick. "We need about 10 more coaches and lots of volunteers to give their time."

Now Amir has a few pressing engagements of his own. He has got way behind with his assignments at Bolton College.

"I was on the phone to my teacher yesterday and he understood what I've been going through," he said. "The last six weeks have been hectic for me so he's extended my deadlines on my sports development course.

"Then I've got to do my driving lessons because all my mates have passed and I'm still walking and jogging everywhere."

And, of course, there was today's homecoming parade through the town.

He is, however, very grateful for all the support, especially here in his home town.

"It has made a big difference to me all the way through -- and I couldn't believe all the people I saw when I got home," he said.

And one dark secret revealed to the waiting media at the press conference?

That famous Union Flag waistcoat Amir's dad regularly wore at the Athens' ringside -- it belongs to Mick Jelley!