The mayor of London he could “have” Boris Johnson in a fight during his tour around an Ilford boxing gym.

Sadiq Khan was asked to have a face-off with the former Prime Minister when he met young people at community project Box Up Crime in Chapel Road, Ilford, on Thursday (January 5).

“I could have him,” Mr Khan said, to a roomful of laughter.

“He (Mr Johnson) used to have a future,” he added.

The mayor was visiting the Box Up Crime scheme with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, who was invited to sort out “security” for the proposed bout.

This Is Local London: Sadiq Khan (left) and Councillor Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge CouncilSadiq Khan (left) and Councillor Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council (Image: PA)

The commissioner and Mr Khan were attending the gym to learn how it helps young people from the area by providing training, support and guidance.

The project was set up by Stephen Addison BEM in 2013 as a way of providing an alternative for youngsters vulnerable to crime.

It was launched with the help of Redbridge council leader Jas Athwal, and Mr Addison described the gym as a “home” to many of its users due to its tight-knit community.

Mr Khan described the project as “inspirational” and revealed how boxing had helped “transform” the lives of him and his brother when they were younger.

This Is Local London: Stephen Addison BEM (right), Founder, Box Up Crime, alongside Fabian Williams, youth coordinator at Box UpStephen Addison BEM (right), Founder, Box Up Crime, alongside Fabian Williams, youth coordinator at Box Up (Image: PA)

“When I was young, growing up in a council estate in south London, our local boxing club transformed the aspirations of my brother and myself,” he said.

“The coaches there guided us towards constructive things to do, and boxing, like many other sports, can change people’s lives and lifestyles.”

During the visit, Sir Mark described London as a “fantastically safe” city as the force announced a drop in homicide rates last year.

The head of Britain’s biggest police force said the capital is a place to “live, work and enjoy yourself”.

The Met has vowed to increase high-visibility patrols and boost community policing focused on preventing robbery after recent figures from Ilford showed 36% of mugging victims were aged 18 or younger.

It said there had been 71 arrests for robbery since November.