IF anyone had told Amir Khan before he went to Athens that he'd end the 2004 Olympics with a silver medal he'd probably have been delighted writes Phil Thorp of the Bury Times

It's a measure of how far the young Bury Amateur Boxing Club lightweight has come over the past two weeks that he looked disappointed after losing to Cuban maestro Mario Kindelan.

But there was no disgrace in being defeated by one of the sports' true greats.

In the end the three time world champion just knew too much for the 17-year-old, winning by a 30-22 margin.

Nevertheless, the youngster gave it his best shot and gave his growing army of fans in the Peristeri Boxing Hall plenty to cheer about.

Victory over Khazakhstan's Serik Yeleuov on Friday evening set the Bolton student up for at least the silver on Sunday afternoon but in the end gold proved a bridge too far for the youngster.

But what a tournament it's been for Khan.

A complete unknown to the majority of people in the country prior to the Olympics he is now one of the nation's best known sporting faces thanks to his amazing exploits in the ring.

Bury ABC coach Mike Jelley has been telling people for years about the potential of his young proteg, now people know he wasn't exaggerating.

To win a medal at any Olympic sport is a truly great achievement but to win one in the tough world of boxing, especially at such a young age, is a stunning achievement.

The 33-year-old Cuban's undoubted class may have won the day but the youngster has a great career ahead of him in his chosen sport.

Undaunted at facing a legendary name in the fight game, Khan made a good start in the first round and it actually went his way by four points to three but the cagey champion's well-timed counter punches were in evidence late in the round.

In the second Kindelan showed just why he's rated the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, catching Khan with some thudding shots as he enticed the youngster into exposing his guard and going into a 14-9 lead.

With a comfortable points cushion the Cuban turned the fight into a masterclass of counter-punching but the local lad continued to go forward despite falling further behind 22-14.

Khan's best round was the fourth and final one, but at that stage only a knockout would have given him the gold such was Kindelan's advantage, and his vast experience kept him clear of trouble.

Despite the expected clamour for him to turn professional the talented youngster is in no rush to join the paid ranks.

At 17 he has plenty of time to develop and has his eye on the gold medal in the next Olympics in Beijing.

"I want to stay amateur until I am 21," he said.

"I will be more experienced and mature for the next Olympics and hopefully will get the gold.

"Then I can think about turning professional when I am stronger."

And even his Cuban opponent - who hung up his gloves after his gold medal winning display - firmly believes the Bury ABC man can take over his mantle of undisputed number one lightweight in the amateur ranks.

"He has a brilliant future ahead of him," he said.

"He's a tremendous fighter and if he doesn't turn professional can reign over the weight category for years to come."

Amazingly, Sunday's bout was only Khan's 14th in the senior ranks which makes his achievement even more impressive.

Now the youngster will be taking a well-earned rest from the ring and turn his attention to passing his next big test. . . a driving one!

Amir Khan puts champion Mario Kindelan on the back foot during Sunday's Olympic lightweight boxing final