OLYMPIC Boxing hero Amir Khan will be a special guest when two Lake District businessmen don the gloves for a showdown in the ring.

Silver medallist Khan, aged 18, will be among the top-table guests, say the organisers of the sell-out White-Collar' Charity Boxing Dinner event at the Low Wood Hotel on the shores of Windermere on Friday, May 27.

Highlight of the bill will be the showdown between Thomas Noblett, the managing director of the Langdale Chase Hotel, and Steve Edmondson, proprietor of the Log House Restaurant, Ambleside.

"It's the buzz of the area," said Mr Noblett. "There are lots of people who can't get a ticket to the event because it is a sell-out, but we are already planning to do another next year.

"It may be serious stuff in the ring but we'll be the best of mates afterwards and it's all in aid of charity."

Both men have been in special training for the contest for almost three months.

Khan, a silver medallist in the last Games, was in the public eye last week when he turned professional after beating Cuban Mario Kindelan to avenge his defeat in 2004's Olympic lightweight final.

United States heavyweight star Ernie Shavers and British titleholder Mike Jenning are also among the celebrities expected to be present, and former Manchester United 'Busby Babe' manager Wilf McGuinness will compere the evening.

The event is in aid of Ambleside Boxing Club and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

NOTE: White-Collar boxing as imported from the United States is boxing for white-collar professionals who undergo professional training and preparation for the three two-minute round bouts.

n Ambleside boxing coach, judge and GB adjudicator Dave Reynolds was on the adjudicating team when Khan beat Cuban gold medallist Mario Kinderley at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

"It was a cracking bout and the atmosphere was amazing," he said.