Former world champion Richie Woodhall on Sunday described Great Britain's Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan as the finest 17-year-old fighter in the world.

Khan failed in his bid to become the youngest British boxer to win Olympic gold in the lightweight final, losing out to defending champion Mario Kindelan.

The 33-year-old Cuban had too much experience and savvy, and clinched his second Olympic title with a 30-22 verdict from the judges.

However, it was a gutsy performance from Khan, who was spurred on by the legions of British fans at ringside, and the future looks bright for one of sport's rising stars.

Former world featherweight champion Naseem Hamed is a big fan of the Bolton teenager, and Woodhall - a bronze medallist from the Seoul Olympics in 1988 - believes Khan is a special talent who will find plenty of positive to take away from Athens.

"We always knew it was going to be tough because he was fighting a 33-year-old boxer at his peak, who was also the defending champion," admitted Woodhall, who won the WBC super-middleweight title as a professional.

"It couldn't have been been more difficult, but I will take my hat off to Amir because he fought an excellent fight and in the last round he was sensational.

"He won the first one 4-3, drew the last 8-8 and just lost it in between, which comes down to experience.

"Kindelan was a little bit too experienced for him and one step ahead.

"But for a 17-year-old, he was the most impressive boxer in this tournament for me.

"I think he has been the star of the show. I can't think of a more talented 17-year-old boxer in the world today."