BOLTON's Amir Khan, who fights out of the Bury Amateur Club, had a sensational one minute 37 second first round victory to reach the Olympics boxing semi-final and guarantee a bronze medal at least.

After giving Korean Jon Sub Baike an Athens hiding he said: "Now I've got a place on the podium and I can now show I'm the best in the world."

Khan will now fight in the semi-final on Friday as the glory run continues.

Baik tried to rush the 17-year-old Briton from the bell but was dropped by a sweet right hand after 76 seconds.

The referee stopped the fight with 23 seconds remaining in the first round following another right-hand peach.

"I've matched my ambitions by getting a medal - so now let's go for a silver or better," said an elated Khan.

Khan will meet Kazakhstan's Serik Yeleuov in the semi-finals.

"We just got the tactics right, to get in and get out because he's a strong lad," said Khan.

"And I finished him in the first round! It was a very good punch that hurt him - a plum right hand.

"It's a dream come true. Everyone wanted to see me on the podium and I want to show everyone that I'm the best in the world.

"The pressure is off me now."

Khan's coach Terry Edwards said: "We expected the fight to go that way in the third round. That it did in the first was a bonus.

"Amir came for the experience and he has proved himself. I am now sure that he can go all the way.

If Khan were to take gold he would become the youngest Olympic champion since Floyd Patterson in 1952. And there's no doubt in his father's mind what has been a big contributory factor.

Shajaad Khan is convinced that his 17-year-old son has benefited from his influential Bury Amateur Boxing Club coach Mike Jelley now being involved in his pre-fight preparations.

According to Khan's proud father, the experienced Bury ABC man has a calming influence on his son, and they were even sharing a joke minutes before Friday's comprehensive points victory over European champion Dimitar Stilianov of Bulgaria which earned him his place in the last eight.

"I really believe having Mike with him is helping in his build-up," said Mr Khan.

"He was so calm and confident going into Friday's fight, I was more nervous than he was.

"The Bulgarian was trying to psyche Amir out in the warming up area ahead of the fight by staring at him.

"But Mike said he ended up laughing at him he was so relaxed.

"And once the fight began you could see how calm and confident he was.

"Just being here is a big thing for him but to get a bronze medal would be absolutely superb."

If anyone had any doubts about Khan's ability to return to Lancashire with a coveted medal they were firmly quashed on Friday afternoon as he never looked in trouble against a highly-rated and vastly more experienced opponent.

The Bulgarian caught him with a couple of decent shots early in the first round but Khan came back to edge it 8-7 at the bell.

His unerring ability to throw punches from all sorts of angles saw him extend his advantage in the second round and at the half way stage he was 16-13 ahead.

Cheered on by his growing band of British fans in the Peristeri Boxing Hall, he totally dominated the third and opened up a seven point lead going into the fourth and final round.

With his opponent looking tired, Khan took full advantage landing plenty of powerful shots to secure a comprehensive victory.

Coach Jelley has noticed a big difference in his young pupil since he arrived in Athens just over a week ago.

He initially seemed a little withdrawn but as the competition has progressed, and more of his friends and family are coming out to see him, he is relaxing more.

"I don't think he was his usual self when he first arrived," said Jelley.

"He seemed a bit quiet but now he's fine.

"Some of his friends are now out here and his mum, two sisters and brother are coming out for tonight's fight.

"He is a lot more relaxed and that's a big thing for him."

After missing out before Khan's first win against Greece's Marios Kaperonis, Jelley acquired a day-pass so he could get involved in his proteg's pre-fight preparation.

It's a fight that Jelley firmly believes will earn Khan a well-deserved medal.

"I honestly think he will win convincingly against the Korean," he added.

"Once he gets going his speed and power will be too much for him.

"He's handling everything well and hopefully will progress to the semi-finals on Friday.

"The fact he has reached the Olympics is like a gold medal for me but it would be great to see him on the rostrum on Sunday."