Keane's world dream in danger
Walsall's Christopher Keane has pleaded for a sponsor to help him become only the second world amateur boxing champion from England.
And it will be the amateur world's loss if he does not make it - respected former world champion Barry McGuigan is waiting in the wings to lead the 22-year-old into the paid ranks as his manager.
To turn pro would be ahead of schedule, especially with the chance to emulate Frankie Gavin's famed Chicago win of 2006 just under two months away in Italy.
In a success-starved heavyweight division, Keane has already been crowned a national and three nations champion in 2009 - three years beforeEngland hosts the Olympics.
The Pleck prospect has a good chance of going one better in Milan but, after giving up his job to make sure he is on top of his game, he won't be able to do it alone.
He said: "Barry has been in touch and I am looking at my options. I have to provide for myself, I am not working because I have dedicated myself to boxing and I need some help back from the sport I love.
"I would love to go to the world amateur finals and fly the flag, and it is a dream I have not given up on yet.
"But I need a sponsor to come forward and help me do that."
Keane's amateur coach Terry Leonard has strongly advised his student to reach the top in the unpaid ranks before even thinking about turning pro, but knows without financial help the Milan dream will not happen.
The riches waiting at the top of the tree in the punch-for-pay world attract any young hopeful and there will be no shortage of takers.
Leonard warns that would be the nation's loss.
He said: "It's looks like Chris is going to be made an offer to turn pro, but he strongly believes there is more to do at amateur level first, especially with what he has coming up. Who wouldn't want that opportunity?
"We have approached the ABA for help, who help all of the top boxers, but nothing has come of that - and the lad is running out of time.
"Pleck ABC would love to sponsor him, but we are only a charity ourselves and have the club to keep going.
"The lad needs financial help, he has the potential to be something big and whoever backs him will not regret it."
