A YOUNG pro boxer has had the honour of meeting the Mayor of Bolton in recognition of his hard work and talent with the sport.

Abdul Khan, a cousin of former world champ Amir, met Cllr Linda Thomas on Saturday, at the mayor’s parlour at Bolton Town Hall.

The rising star has just returned from Dubai after his first pro fight win on Amir’s Crypto Fight Show.

On meeting the mayor, the 19-year-old said: “I loved meeting the mayor.

"I’ve never met a mayor before, so it’s nice to have met her and to see the town hall.

“She told me she’s been trying to keep track of my career as a new pro boxer, which is nice, because I want to represent Bolton and do well for myself and the town.

“It means a lot to me if I have the support of the mayor and hopefully the people of Bolton.

"Boxing is my passion and I can't wait to fight again soon, this time in Salford.

“I want to thank my mum as well for everything she does for me and all the support.”

Abdul will next fight on December 4 in Salford at the AJ Bell Stadium.

His mum Saira said:“I am so proud of him, he does everything on his own and I just pray for him to be successful.

“But I feel so pressured when he fights because I don’t want him to get hurt, but I support him always in what he does.

“In the beginning I didn’t want him to go into boxing but when I saw how passionate he was, I knew I had to let him do what he really wanted to do, and boxing is important to him.”

Abdul trains at the Oliver Gym in Salford and this was the first time he had ever stepped foot in the town hall.

Later Cllr Thomas told The Bolton News: “I am really impressed with him and have been watching him progress and sending him good luck.

“It’s nice to see a young man so dedicated and focussed. He’s determined to do well, and I can’t wait to see him go further.

“Abdul can inspire other young people that if you want to get on in life this is what you have to do.

“I wish him the best for his next fight and I’m sure he’ll win and make Bolton proud.”

Abdul started boxing at the age of just eight, and wanted to do nothing else, waking up at early hours of the morning to train despite still having school.

He said: “I was only 13 so my mum said to wake up at 6am and she’d come with me.

“We would go every morning whether it was snowing, raining or foggy.”