AMIR Khan will turn professional before the Beijing Olympics in 2008, but his camp have denied they have already signed a deal.

The 18-year-old, who shot to fame after scooping a silver medal at the Athens Games, sparked mass speculation about his future when he pulled out of Saturday's ABA Championships after a row over ticketing for his fans.

Boxing pundits predicted he was ready to move into the professional ranks, but Khan insists he is still focussed on the amateur game for now.

"In 2008, I want to be a world champion as a professional," he said.

"I could give it a year, two years or three years (before going pro), but I think it will be before Beijing.

"My ambition one day is to become a professional fighter, but I want to take it one step at a time.

"It is a long way to the Olympics."

Khan and his advisors are to sit down next week with ABA officials to voice their concern over the way the fighter has been treated over the last few days.

The governing body's initial offer of just 10 tickets caused Khan to pull out of the competition, fearing his fans may try to buy tickets on the day.

The ABA made a late offer of 300 tickets, with a revised starting time, but Khan's team refused to go back on their original decision.

It remains to be seen if the relationship between the two parties is irreparable.

His father, Shah, said: "Amir has done so much for the amateur boxing stage, it's unbelievable.

"He deserves more than they're saying about him."

The row with the ABA has also cast into doubt Khan's selection for the Four Nations Competition in April, but the teenager looks likely to face Cuba in an international the same month.

The competition could see a rematch with the legendary Mario Kinderlan who defeated Khan for the gold medal in Athens last year.

"Hopefully next week we will know the full team that is coming over," said Khan's manager Asif Veli.

"I have been talking to the ABA, there is no confirmation of Kindelan being here. He may be on the trip, he may not.

"However, that gives Amir the opportunity to go back to 60kg (lightweight) and he will be training at that level just in case he is here and there is the opportunity to box."