HE'S already assured of a bronze medal, now Amir Khan has his sights firmly set on Olympic gold.

The pride of Bury Amateur Boxing Club takes on Kazakhstan's Serik Yeleuov on Friday night for a chance to turn that bronze into silver.

But it's the big one that Khan is hell bent on winning now - and who'd back against him?

Certainly none of his growing army of British fans who watched his demolition of Korea's Baik Jong-Sub on Tuesday evening.

The 17-year-old lightweight was simply sensational, stopping Baik after one minute and 37 seconds of the first round after previously forcing him to take a mandatory count.

Khan was in irrepressible form from the start, raining in fast and accurate punches from every angle, to leave the hapless Korean stunned.

The referee came to Baik's rescue just in time and doubtless he was grateful for the intervention after the pummelling he received.

It's a long way from the Seedfield Centre on Parkinson Street to the Peristeri Boxing Hall in Athens, but Khan has made the jump from the home of Bury ABC to the world stage like a natural.

It's no surprise, because that's what he is.

His coach and mentor Mike Jelley has been telling people for years he has a real diamond in his midst, now people are having to take notice.

Worryingly for Friday's opponent, the precocious talent seems to be getting better as the tournament progresses.

So much for the pressure of being the country's only boxing representative at the 2004 Games!

In his first bout a week last Monday, he outclassed spirited Greek favourite Marios Kaperonis, winning by a third round stoppage.

And if that wasn't impressive enough, the manner in which he saw off Bulgaria's European champion Dimitar Stilianov on points last Friday would have had even the most jaundiced sceptic doubting their eyes.

He has gone from a virtual unknown outside Bury, Bolton and amateur boxing circles to a world star in two weeks and refreshingly appears completely unaffected by the huge media attention his success is attracting.

It begs the question where will his Greek odyssey end?

Certainly not on Friday evening if the boxing pundits are to be believed.

They are already licking their lips at the prospect of Khan coming face to face with reigning Olympic and World champion Mario Kindelan of Cuba in Sunday afternoon's final.

Kindelan, now 33 years of age, is rated the best pound-for-pound amateur boxer in the world and is a massive favourite to retain his title in what will be his final tournament.

But all things come to an end, and hopes are high that Jelley's star pupil could be the one to knock the Cuban maestro off his lofty perch.

In May, the two clashed in a pre-Olympic warm-up competition in Athens and on that occasion Kindelan got the better of the youngster by way of a 33-13 points decision.

But the British hope is nothing if not a fast learner as Georgian Avtandil Kashia has already found out.

Kashia is the only other boxer to beat Khan since he moved into open age boxing at the turn of the year and controversially won 29-20 in February's European Championships (the first Olympic qualifier).

But within weeks that result was avenged in the second European trial by an impressive 40-18 score.

Whatever happens this weekend Khan has already proved he has the world at his feet.

But wouldn't it be fitting if there was a golden end for the boxer they are already calling The Golden Boy?

Khan's semi-final will be shown on BBC TV on Friday at 6.30pm and the final on Sunday (12.30pm).