Kevin Mitchell versus Amir Khan

Two photographs I took some time ago.

Super featherweight boxer Kevin Mitchell (top) was photographed at a hotel in Preston in autumn 2005. I was at the weigh-in ahead of Dagenham fighter Mitchell's fight in the city's Guild Hall against Daniel Thorpe, which he won.

And the young man next to the devil's head is Bolton's Amir Khan, photographed outside his gym in Bury. He was just seventeen at the time. He had just decided to fight for Britain instead of Pakistan and was sweating on winning a place in the 2004 British Olympic team.

He did eventually get his place in the squad. And don't you know it, he won a silver medal. When I interviewed him at Bury's Seedfield Resource Centre I was bowled over by his politeness and confidence. I've been a supporter ever since.

Khan, a lightweight fighter turned light-welterweight, is a brilliant role model for the people of Bolton, the people of Pakistan and all British youngsters.

Both these fighters won in Newcastle at the weekend and could face each other in 2010. That's why these pictures are here.