YOUNG Bolton boxer Ali Akbar Javid has his eyes set on representing Team GB at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

The former Bury ABC super lightweight switched to Jennings Gym for training but has been without fight action for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Still in his late teens, he is determined to keep training hard and progressing his career which has seen him win three of four professional bouts to date, the last being in February 2020.

He said: “It has been a tough year due to Covid and fights being postponed, but 2022 is a big year for me as I am aiming to make the GB Olympics team.

‘Boxing has given me a career path and it has kept me safe. My friends were on the streets while I was training in the gym.”

Things have progressed since he first teamed up with Amir Khan’s former trainer, Mick Jelley, at Bury ABC.

He has already won three amateur national championships, including one Tri-Nations title, eight North West championships and two in the international stage.

Most of those honours were before he turned 18 and now as he approaches the age of 20, he hopes for bigger and better things.

And recently he was boosted by sponsorship from Zanouchi - The clothing brand who sell T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers, tracksuits and footwear.

Zanouchi founder, Bil Akram, sees the opportunity to combine the styles of his brand with the spirit in local sporting heroes like Akbar Javid.

He said: “Sponsoring fresh sporting talent in the local area aligns with our brand ethos of young people making a statement, whatever their background. Athletes know what clothing works and what clothing doesn’t work when training or competing, and Zanouchi offers styles that deliver an edge.”