MUHAMMAD Ali has a burning ambition to win a gold medal at the Olympics in honour of his grandfather, who collapsed and died while watching him fight.

The Bury-based flyweight was in full flow, trading punches in the second round of a national quarter-final two years ago when tragedy struck.

Ali's grandfather, Mohammed Saleem, suffered a heart attack while cheering him on at ringside.

The 19-year-old, who makes a daily two-hour round-trip from his Keighley home to train with Amir Khan's former coach Mick Jelley at Bury Amateur Boxing Club, has since dedicated every victory to his biggest fan, and has vowed to bring home the greatest prize of all.

"What happened that night has given Ali more of a reason than ever to carry on with his boxing," said his dad, Shahid Saleem, who is a mad keen boxing fan himself, naming his eldest son after his idol.

"My dad was against me getting into boxing, but when Ali showed a real love of the sport he backed him all the way.

"And he has always said ever since that he would love to do this for his grandad, bring home an Olympic medal for him."

What happened that night gave an insight into what Saleem describes as his son's "lion heart".

"One thing Ali has got that possibly sets him apart, he has got a big heart," said his dad.

"He saw the commotion during that second round, saw his grandad lying on the floor.

"He stopped throwing punches, but the fight went on and he took quite a few hits.

"After the bell went his corner told Ali to hold it together, and you know what he went back out there and he won that fight.

"He was so upset and obviously shaken, but was somehow able to get through it, and that mental toughness and strength of character has taken Ali all the way to the Olympics.

"I am so proud of what he has achieved because he has basically given up his youth for his boxing.

"While all of his other friends are out having fun or playing on computer games, he is in the gym.

"I know he is my son, but I wish him all the luck in the world out there in Rio because he has worked so hard for this."