Amir Khan believes Keighley 18-year-old Muhammad Ali has the skills to back up his big name and become the next big hit in the Great Britain amateur ranks.
Ali trains at Khan's former amateur club Bury ABC where posters of the former two-time world champion adorn the walls in a bid to inspire young fighters to emulate his success.
But Ali, who will make his Great Britain debut in the inaugural European Games in Baku next week, has already gone one better than his hero by claiming an ABA title in only his third senior fight.
Khan told Press Association Sport: "Muhammad has really caught my eye already - he's got a lot of talent and has already accomplished so much at a young age.
"They keep producing great amateurs in this country and Muhammad could be the latest who comes through in time to go to (the Olympics in) Rio and be a big success."
Ali, who won a European junior title as well as bronze at last year's Youth Olympics, is trained by Mick Jelley, who guided Khan through the amateur ranks and part of his early professional career.
And he is rated so promising he has earned his GB bow after just three senior bouts - the three it took him to win the senior ABA 52kg title earlier this year.
Khan withdrew midway through the national championships in 2005 claiming a ticket row, and shortly afterwards turned professional.
Ali said: "Every day I train I see Amir looking down from all the posters in the gym and he's all over the newspapers so he is definitely an inspiration for me.
"When I look at what he achieved at such a young age I see no reason why I can't do the same thing and so far I have not had a problem with the step up to senior level.
"Going to the Youth Olympics has helped prepare me for Baku but it will be a great experience. Rio is definitely a realistic goal for me and doing well in Baku will only be the start."
Ali is part of a 12-strong Great Britain boxing team heading to Baku, also including Commonwealth Games gold medallists Antony Fowler, Joe Joyce, Nicola Adams and Savannah Marshall.
The team also includes Derby's Sandy Ryan, who won a surprise silver medal at last year's Women's World Championships in South Korea. But fellow silver medallist Lisa Whiteside has been forced out due to injury.
Ireland have named a 12-strong boxing team headed by Olympic and world champion Katie Taylor. Fellow London Olympians Darren O'Neill and Adam Nolan will also compete.
Source: PA
