AMIR Khan, a 24-year-old lad from Bolton, is becoming a genuine international sports star.

Boxing commentators in America have taken to calling him “King Khan”.

Last week he thrilled the crowd in Las Vegas when he beat a tough opponent, Zab Judah, to add the IBF belt to the WBA title he held already.

His goal now is to become the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world — a realistic aspiration based on his success so far.

I do not pretend to know much about boxing, but I know a winner when I see one.

Our civic leaders are happy and correct to bask in the reflected glory that Amir brings to Bolton.

For his part, he seems genuinely proud of his local heritage.

Also, in an age when rich young sportsmen feature in the public prints for their excesses, there is something genuinely impressive about religious observance.

He is having a month off taking in Ramadan and a pilgrimage to Mecca.

It must be difficult to be “King Khan” and humble at the same time.