Khan: The Oscar nominee

Born in Los Angeles of Mexican parents, 33-year-old De La Hoya is estimated to have earned over £100 million since he punched his way to the lightweight gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Having beaten 17 current or former world champions while winning title belts at six weights, his purse for fighting undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas on 18 September could be £18m depending on the sale of payperview television subscriptions.

Married to Latin superstar entertainer Millie Corretjer, he is also coins it in as a businessman at the head of his own boxing promotions company.

Warren, who has guided a host of British boxers to world championships including Frank Bruno and Joe Calzaghe, insisted: "To me, at 17, Khan looks a better fighter than Oscar De La Hoya did at that age. I think he is sensational.

"I like everything I see about him. I like how he performs inside the ring, to win a guaranteed bronze medal is a magnificent achievement. And I like how he acts outside the ring. He comes across as a nice boy."

The dilemma that will confront Khan after the weekend is whether he should remain amateur, with the laudable intention of fighting for medals while existing on little more that £20,000 a year from sports lottery funding, or follow the money-trail that leads to the professional ranks. Warren believes the answer is obvious. "I can understand where he's at, but Khan should turn pro. He's fighting men now, he's beating them, so why shouldn't he turn pro?

"He's won a bronze at the Olympics. If he now wins a silver or gold he's practically dominated his division already so what more does he have to prove?

"If Khan stays amateur he's not going to fight on club shows any more. All he's going to do is fight representative matches against the best in the world. And some of those fights will be tougher than he'd have as a young pro."

Khan's attraction as a box-office draw is obvious. Born in Britain but to parents with roots in Pakistan he bridges the cultural divide just like De La Hoya. And like De La Hoya he possesses the kind of engaging personality that attracts media attention and endorsements.

Warren insists he's yet to make a formal approach to Khan. "I haven't spoken to him," he said. "I don't want to get involved right now. Let him concentrate on what he's doing in Athens. I wish him well and I hope he does it for Britain and for him and his family. There will be plenty of time to talk afterwards."

It doesn't matter if other promoters are beating on Khan's door, because national coach Terry Edwards has it locked and barred in the athlete's village. At least for now.

Edwards, a former London cabbie, said: "Part of my job is to try and retain Amir's focus. I won't allow any phone calls from outside, other than from his immediate family. We won't allow any direct calls from professional promoters."

In the same breath, however, Edwards added several noughts to Khan's market value. "Amir's only 17 and he's awesome," he said. "I can't imagine what he's going to be like at

"He's certainly ranked among the very, very best British fighters who have come through in recent years."