CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron today hailed Amir Khan as a "hero" and "role model" - despite the champion boxer's driving convictions.
Mr Cameron was addressing an audience at the opening of the Bolton boxer's new £700,000 gym, Gloves in Prince Street, Bolton, as he toured Manchester.
He said the gym - with two boxing rings, fitness equipment and an IT suite - would keep children off the streets.
The Tory chief also praised Amir for "putting something back into the community".
Amir, 21, was banned from driving and fined £1,000 for the second time in less than three months this week after a court heard that he drove at speeds of up to 140mph in his high powered BMW on the M62 near Rochdale.
In October last year, he was convicted of careless driving and banned for six months, with a £1,000 fine, after he drove through a red light in March 2005 and injured a pedestrian near a pelican crossing in Bolton town centre.
Community
Mr Cameron said: "I so admire what Amir Khan is doing here in Bolton. What I so admire about Amir is that he does not just want to be the best boxer in the world but he wants to put something back into the community. It is something that we can all really applaud.
"It is so much better for people to come into this gym and get fit than hanging around the streets.
"This gym has an enormous chance to change people's lives. What Amir is doing will make a real difference. He is a role model and a hero to people."
Speaking to the MEN Amir apologised for his driving convictions.. He said: "I am human. I made a mistake. I was between the ages of 17 and 20 then and now I am 21. I am wiser.
"I have learnt my lesson. I am sorry for what happened. I was in the wrong and I won't make the same mistakes again."
The gym, sponsored by Network Rail under a national campaign to stop children risking their lives by playing on railway lines, will offer facilities for amateur and professional boxers as well as young people.
Amir, who won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and fronts the "No Messin" campaign, said: "There's no excuse for mucking about on train tracks. This gym means a lot to me. It has been a dream of mine for so long.
"I wanted to give something back to the community. Hopefully it will give children a place to go and keep fit - taking them off the streets and out of trouble."
What do you think? Have your say.
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Cameron: Amir is a role model
January 10, 2008
David Cameron at Khan's new community project
Showing comments 1 to 14 and replies | View All
Mike S, Manchester (10/01/2008 at 14:55)
I was extremely disappointed by the verdict, but understood that the court couldn't convict when they had no evidence exactly how fast he was going because there was no speed gun in the police car.
However, when you are driving on the motorway at 70mph and someone overtakes you, you know if they're going 75mph or if they're going 100mph. I think the court should have given more weight to the police's evidence.
He should have got a much longer ban, particularly as he can afford to pay a chauffeur, unlike most other people who genuinely need a car to work.
The Bobelesque (10/01/2008 at 15:00)
Pescado (10/01/2008 at 15:12)
Gloria A (10/01/2008 at 16:33)
need I say more?
Lisa Moore...Wilmslow...Cheshire (10/01/2008 at 17:05)
7501, Manchester (10/01/2008 at 17:43)
AlbertRN, Middleton (10/01/2008 at 18:54)
LookingForLogic, Stockport (11/01/2008 at 01:40)
We've all seen the speeding advert on tv that shows what happens if you hit a child at different speeds. If he really wants to repair any negative role model he's already promoted, then perhaps he should look at funding, & starring in a road safety promotional video & making it freely available to all schools & youth organisations. Money can't change an image or mindset unless it's used properly.
Andrew, Manchester (11/01/2008 at 03:22)
Your views in the past imply the working classes are lazy and drink all day long whilst claiming benefits. Not only are your views out of date, incorrect and very offensive, i get the impression you not only do not work, but have never been the bread winner which would pay for the nice house in Wilmslow. By the way, there is no such thing as middle class. You are either working class or upper class. The middle classes are in fact working class people with money and a severe case of social class insecurity.
Mr Angry, Bury (11/01/2008 at 09:30)
Pass the vomit bowl quickly please
Lisa Moore...Wilmslow...Cheshire (11/01/2008 at 16:09)
The fact remains that the working class will always be poor because they simply don't work hard enough and sit around in pubs all night drinking.
sarahx, manchester (11/01/2008 at 19:39)
Again you are talking out of your behind, not all 'working class sit round drinking in the pubs all night' I work very hard & would be willing to challenge you anyday to a good honest hard days manual work I would put a years salary on you going back to the house you probably haven't paid for a lot more tired than me, come down off your high horse & stop talking rubbish
BluePolarBear, ex of Stockport (11/01/2008 at 23:11)
Sorry Lisa,but your snobby opinions, re the working class,don't take into account that some people have advantages,and more people have disadvantages.What about starting with a level playing field Lisa ? Thats the thought that scares the middle and upper classes,because in your heart,you know that Tarquin isn't really any more gifted than the kids on street corners,that you look down on.
Jack Tindall, Salford (21/02/2008 at 11:44)