MUHAMMAD Ali was expected to peak in time for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, but after forcing his way into the team for Rio the Bury-based boxer is not going just to make up the numbers - he wants gold.

The 20-year-old flyweight won bronze at the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China and feels that experience will stand him in good stead when he steps into the ring on August 13.

"Anything can happen out there, so my first aim is to make sure I enjoy it," said Ali, who takes confidence from the fact he has only been beaten by two of the qualifiers - the world champion and world silver medalist.

"I think I was a bit overwhelmed at the Youth Olympics and maybe put too much pressure on myself, so I was never relaxed.

"At Rio, I plan to really soak up the atmosphere and come home with lots of great memories.

"But I see know reason in going if I do not aim to win gold.

"There is nothing for me to fear out there.

"I know I have two defeats on my record against two of my possible opponents, but one of those fights had to be stopped because I got cut after a clash of heads, and the other I was told a week before the bout I would be fighting and still only lost by one point against the Cuban world champion.

"With a bit of luck, I'm confident I can beat them both."

Despite his previous experience at the Youth Olympics, Ali knows the Rio Games will be a massive step up.

The Keighley-born fighter, who makes a two-hour round trip from his home to train at Bury ABC with Mick Jelley, says he has plenty of help and advice from the man who helped Amir Khan win silver at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Khan was one of the first to congratulate Ali after he qualified, but the youngster admits the enormity of his achievement is only just dawning on him.

"It only started to sink in when I went to get my kit," said Ali, who was given his first taste of a media scrum when he was fitted for his Team GB uniform at the start of the month.

"There was quite a lot of people there, and a load of journalists wanting to speak with me.

"A lot of people wanted to know about my name.

"But it really struck home what I had achieved when I found out there are only 360 athletes in the whole of the British team.

"To be one of those 360 is a great feeling.

"It's what I always dreamed about."