SOLDIERS subjected to vile jeering and abuse at a homecoming parade early this week will be honoured as heroes at a top boxing event in Manchester tonight.

A squad representing the Royal Anglian Regiment - denounced as 'criminals, murderers and terrorists' by Muslim extremists - will be treated as VIPs at the sporting evening at the MEN Arena where Amir Khan, a prominent voice for Anglo-Islamic relations, will be fighting for his future.

A total of 50 ringside tickets have been donated to the regiment's 2nd Battalion - nicknamed The Poachers - by fighters and promoters including Bolton-born Khan, and Frank Warren.

The boxer, who takes on Mexican veteran Marco Antonio Barrera in the top-of-the-bill bout, has made no comment publicly about his feelings over the way the regiment was treated.

But a spokesman said: "The Royal Anglians were absolutely delighted at the tickets gesture. They love watching Amir fight, and it will be a great sporting night."

Promoter Frank Warren said: "All our boxers are giving tickets to the men who went out there to do a perilous job defending our country.

"Ours is the land of free speech, but we all have a right to that. I am a UK citizen and what I say is that the members of our armed forces should be shown respect.

"They do not decide who we go to war against. That's the job of the politicians. But they risk their lives for all of us in this country."

American promoter Don King echoed the sentiments from Barrera's corner.

Honour

"Treat them with every honour," he said. "The troops of both our countries put themselves in harms way to protect the liberties we enjoy."

The extremists who taunted and ridiculed the soldiers, during a homecoming parade in Luton on Tuesday, sparked outrage with their actions, and had to be protected by riot police.

Defence Secretary John Hutton publicly condemned the 'tiny minority' involved, and paid a personal tribute to the 2nd Battalion, who he said had served their country with great bravery and professionalism.

Protesters who marred the homecoming parade remained unrepentant yesterday, as they hit the streets again, handing out leaflets criticising the 'racist and discriminate nature of the British public'.

A statement about Tuesday's incident, given to people as they walked near two of Luton's biggest mosques, said: "The fallacy of freedom has been completely exposed.

"When it comes to the non-Muslims, whether it be the government, media, or people in general hurling abuse at Islam and Muslims, we are expected to accept it as freedom of speech. There is no limit to the abuse the Muslims have to tolerate."

Victory for Khan tonight could mean a world title chance. Promoter Frank Warren has been lobbying the World Boxing Organisation to make the fight an official eliminator for its lightweight championship.

But defeat by Barrera, who is currently ranked number one by the WBO, could mean disaster for the Bolton boxer, who was rocked by his first loss last September when he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott.

A spokesman for the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, which is currently based in Celle, northern Germany and forms part of the 7th Armoured Brigade `The Desert Rats', said: "The Battalion have recently completed a six-month tour of Iraq where they have helped to bring peace and the first signs of prosperity to the city of Basra.

"The offer of 50 tickets for Saturday's Amir Khan fight at the MEN Arena is greatly appreciated by the Royal Anglians. Gestures such as this remind our soldiers of the high esteem with which they are held. Fifty soldiers are hoping to attend and are looking forward to a great night."