Amir Khan today reiterated his desire to stay amateur with the praise of the man who deprived him of Olympic gold ringing in his ears.
The 17-year-old Bolton lightweight lost his gold medal match to the great Cuban Mario Kindelan in Athens last week.
And Khan revealed how the newly-retired champion had urged him to resist the lure of professionalism and focus on the next Games in Beijing.
Khan said: "Mario asked me if I would turn professional and I said I didn't know. He told me not to turn pro because I would dominate at 60kgs and I will be world champion and Olympic gold medallist.
"I wanted a gold medal and my ambition is to stay for the next Olympics and win gold. I've got world championships and Commonwealth Games coming up so I'm sure the next four years will soon go past."
Khan has surrounded himself with a team of prominent sports lawyers who will attempt to secure the necessary funding to keep him amateur.
Asif Vali of Elite Sports Management described commercial interest in Khan as "phenomenal" and added: "It is our intention to work with a small number of commercial partners and discussions will go on in the coming weeks."
Meanwhile Khan will continue with his sports development course at Bolton College with the help of his understanding tutors.
"I was on the phone to my teacher yesterday and he understood what I've been going through," Khan said.
"The last six weeks have been hectic for me so he's extended my deadlines on my sports development course. Then I've got to do my driving lessons because all my mates have passed and stuff."