All is far from lost for Amir Khan.

The 2004 Olympics in Athens and a teenage Amir Khan is doing his best against one of the all time greats of amateur boxing, Mario Kindelan. Khan sits in his corner between rounds staring up at his coach and looking for all the world like Bambi, my daughter said , "I just want to give him a big cuddle". Yes, her and half the girls in the country no doubt. Gone is the innocent expression. These days Amir Khan has the look of a seasoned pro about him. The critics will be out in force after last night's split decision loss to a tough and determined Lamont Peterson and sure, a loss is a loss home town or otherwise, but it's the mark of a true champion to be able to take a loss, go back to the gym and just crack on. These days we place far too much emphasis on the unblemished record but when you look back at the really great fighters of the past, Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Robinson, Sandy Saddler and the rest, you find that a loss, albeit a rarity, was something taken in it's stride, by fighter and fans alike. It's not too late for Khan to be recognised as the best pound for pound fighter in the world and I imagine that Freddie Roach will be telling his protege as much right now.