Amir Khan v Marco Antonio Barrera - March 14th
Discussion
Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera is the incredible name that has been chosen as Amir Khan's next opponent.
Barrera, 34, the only man to have beaten Naseem Hamed and one of the greatest boxers and most popular boxers of this century, will face Khan on March 14 in by far the toughest test of the former Olympic medal-winner's professional career so far.
It is a brave move by Frank Warren, Khan's promoter, who has had the job of rebuilding Khan's career after he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott in September. He returned with a two-round win over Oisin Fagan in December but facing Barrera is a hugely exciting prospect.
Barrera, known as the Baby Faced Assassin, has held world titles at super-bantamweight and super-featherweight (plus the IBO title at featherweight) but is best remembered in Britain for being the only person to beat Naseem Hamed, when he gave the British legend a thorough 12-round beating in Las Vegas in 2001. He is also remembered for his remarkable trilogy with Erik Morales - Barrera winning two of the three - but has also beaten a host of top fighters, including Paulie Ayala, Johnny Tapia, Kevin Kelley and Rocky Juarez.
He retired in 2007 after back-to-back points losses to Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, but the retirement did not last and he quit from his position as a partner with Golden Boy to make a comeback under Don King last year, stopping Sammy Ventura in four rounds in November on a show in Chengdu, China, where the WBC convention was being held.
Freddie Roach, Khan's new trainer, is likely to be confident having twice trained Pacquiao to beat Barrera. Khan is due to fly back out to Los Angeles at the weekend to prepare at Roach's Wild Card gym. Khan, 22, the Commonwealth lightweight champion, linked up with Roach after his stunning loss to Prescott. During his stay in Hollywood, he trained and sparred with Pacquiao and he looked an improved boxer during his brief bout with Fagan.
Earlier in his career, Barrera was promoted by Warren and this will be his second bout in Britain. He took just one round to stop Paul Lloyd at the Albert Hall in 1999.
But Barrera says he wants to win a world title at lightweight. "I know there's not much time left," Barrera said in a recent interview. "I have three, maybe four, fights left, but I want that fourth title."
Nicky Cook, Enzo Maccarinelli and Kevin Mitchell are all due to box on the same bill which will be broadcast on Sky Box Office.
Barrera, 34, the only man to have beaten Naseem Hamed and one of the greatest boxers and most popular boxers of this century, will face Khan on March 14 in by far the toughest test of the former Olympic medal-winner's professional career so far.
It is a brave move by Frank Warren, Khan's promoter, who has had the job of rebuilding Khan's career after he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott in September. He returned with a two-round win over Oisin Fagan in December but facing Barrera is a hugely exciting prospect.
Barrera, known as the Baby Faced Assassin, has held world titles at super-bantamweight and super-featherweight (plus the IBO title at featherweight) but is best remembered in Britain for being the only person to beat Naseem Hamed, when he gave the British legend a thorough 12-round beating in Las Vegas in 2001. He is also remembered for his remarkable trilogy with Erik Morales - Barrera winning two of the three - but has also beaten a host of top fighters, including Paulie Ayala, Johnny Tapia, Kevin Kelley and Rocky Juarez.
He retired in 2007 after back-to-back points losses to Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, but the retirement did not last and he quit from his position as a partner with Golden Boy to make a comeback under Don King last year, stopping Sammy Ventura in four rounds in November on a show in Chengdu, China, where the WBC convention was being held.
Freddie Roach, Khan's new trainer, is likely to be confident having twice trained Pacquiao to beat Barrera. Khan is due to fly back out to Los Angeles at the weekend to prepare at Roach's Wild Card gym. Khan, 22, the Commonwealth lightweight champion, linked up with Roach after his stunning loss to Prescott. During his stay in Hollywood, he trained and sparred with Pacquiao and he looked an improved boxer during his brief bout with Fagan.
Earlier in his career, Barrera was promoted by Warren and this will be his second bout in Britain. He took just one round to stop Paul Lloyd at the Albert Hall in 1999.
But Barrera says he wants to win a world title at lightweight. "I know there's not much time left," Barrera said in a recent interview. "I have three, maybe four, fights left, but I want that fourth title."
Nicky Cook, Enzo Maccarinelli and Kevin Mitchell are all due to box on the same bill which will be broadcast on Sky Box Office.
I read about this one this morning on ESB and it does seem a little odd for Khan to be taking sucha big risk but fair play to the guy for having the balls.
Barrera, in my opinion, is past his best but I reckon he has the skillset and determination to give Khan a boxing lesson.
I'll be watching the fight with great interest.
Barrera, in my opinion, is past his best but I reckon he has the skillset and determination to give Khan a boxing lesson.
I'll be watching the fight with great interest.
It's a good fight for Khan. If he loses (assuming it isn't a 1st round KO)he has lost to a ring legend who went 12 rounds with the P4P Champ just over a year ago....if he wins he has a massive name on the record. Amir has been sparring with Pacquiao and apparently been holding his own. Freddie Roach wouldn't be letting Khan in the ring if he didn't think he had the tools to do a job. Khan will either get exposed as a glass jawed fighter who he will take Barrera on Pts....Either way it's worth watching.
Crazy! Khan shouldnt even get this sort of oppertunity he hasnt earnt!
I cant see how he can win he doesnt have the power and surely they cant expect him to outbox Barrera?
Also Barrera being the proud tough mexican that he is, if he was washed up why would he take the fight surely he doesnt nedd the money?
From what I have read it seems to me Barrera see's this fight as a way to raise his profile for bigger fights and a warm up for a world title fight.
Be one of thr biggest upsets ever!
Got to tip your hat to Khan though to take the fight very brave! where does he go if he loses?
I cant see how he can win he doesnt have the power and surely they cant expect him to outbox Barrera?
Also Barrera being the proud tough mexican that he is, if he was washed up why would he take the fight surely he doesnt nedd the money?
From what I have read it seems to me Barrera see's this fight as a way to raise his profile for bigger fights and a warm up for a world title fight.
Be one of thr biggest upsets ever!
Got to tip your hat to Khan though to take the fight very brave! where does he go if he loses?
MonkeyBusiness said:
olic said:
Got to tip your hat to Khan though to take the fight very brave! where does he go if he loses?
Exactly. I know Khan has to push on in his career but a tough mexican is not the opponent he needs.Despite what people say about Barrera being past it, as long as Khan doesn't 'trash talk' in the build up I'd respect him for fighting someone of Barreras calibre.
I think everyone is forgetting just how much Barrera is past is sell by date, this is the reason Warren is prepared to take the fight. This is a match up designed to wipe the 54 second knockout from the minds of everyone and re-instate Khan as the prospect he once was.
A risk yes, but then again Khan is constantly at risk the moment he steps into the ring with anyone who can hit harder than my grandmother.
I see Khan taking this on points as size and speed wins the day against a still brave, but greatly diminished Barrera. However, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Khan gets tagged and go's the way of the pear, it is Barrera after all.
A risk yes, but then again Khan is constantly at risk the moment he steps into the ring with anyone who can hit harder than my grandmother.
I see Khan taking this on points as size and speed wins the day against a still brave, but greatly diminished Barrera. However, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Khan gets tagged and go's the way of the pear, it is Barrera after all.
Very interesting match-up.
Khan looks great against people who can't punch and who are lesser boxers, but then I'd look against my niece.
If Barerra is up for it, this could be a classic, but if Khan gets caught early on, it's goodnight Vienna.
I don't think Khan can stop someone of Barrera's class and durability - he's only been stopped once before in his career - by PacMan.
Khan does have a five inch height advantage though - (see www.boxrec.com)
I'll be tuning in for sure.
Khan looks great against people who can't punch and who are lesser boxers, but then I'd look against my niece.
If Barerra is up for it, this could be a classic, but if Khan gets caught early on, it's goodnight Vienna.
I don't think Khan can stop someone of Barrera's class and durability - he's only been stopped once before in his career - by PacMan.
Khan does have a five inch height advantage though - (see www.boxrec.com)
I'll be tuning in for sure.
I dont believe Barrera is washed up at all and I feel people will be surprised at just how good he still is. He has been in the ring with some amazing fighters and been involved in some brilliant fights (Morales trilogy srpings to mind). His left hook is unreal, and will put Khan to sleep if it lands
Khan is a much bigger fighter, and obviously a lot younger, which will play to his advantage.
Very inteesting fight and kudos to Khan for taking it on. I feel he may have bitten off a little too much with this one but I wlll certainly be watching with interest
Khan is a much bigger fighter, and obviously a lot younger, which will play to his advantage.
Very inteesting fight and kudos to Khan for taking it on. I feel he may have bitten off a little too much with this one but I wlll certainly be watching with interest
Quote off web
"Barrera fought Pacquiao in a rematch bout for the WBC International Super Featherweight title on October 6, 2007 in Las Vegas. Barrera was defeated by a unanimous decision with scores of 118-109, 118-109, 115-112."
Is Barrera washed up at 34? would Khan get that sort of result if he stepped in the ring with Pacquiao.
One judge only gave it to Pacman by 3 rounds? and to get 3 rounds agaisnt Pacman at his peak is no mean feat.
Khan hasnt the power to stop Barrera and Barrera can still box and go the distance with the best fighter on the planet.
Will be interesting to see what the bookies think.
"Barrera fought Pacquiao in a rematch bout for the WBC International Super Featherweight title on October 6, 2007 in Las Vegas. Barrera was defeated by a unanimous decision with scores of 118-109, 118-109, 115-112."
Is Barrera washed up at 34? would Khan get that sort of result if he stepped in the ring with Pacquiao.
One judge only gave it to Pacman by 3 rounds? and to get 3 rounds agaisnt Pacman at his peak is no mean feat.
Khan hasnt the power to stop Barrera and Barrera can still box and go the distance with the best fighter on the planet.
Will be interesting to see what the bookies think.
Colin_147 said:
olic said:
Will be interesting to see what the bookies think
Ladbrokes have it Khan 8/11 Barrera EV. They also have Pacquiao 4/11 v Hatton 2/1Edited by Colin_147 on Friday 16th January 16:01
Nicky Cook, Enzo Maccarinelli and Kevin Mitchell are all due to box on the same bill which will be broadcast on Sky Box Office.
Would you bloody believe it, i got Setanta sports a few months ago just to watch the boxing, seen the Calzaghi fight and thats near enough it so far, oh seen the dull klitschko fight as well, it appears that most of the boxing is on Sky Box office now, hardly any decent fights on Setanta.
Well b
ks to Setanta and Sky Box office what ever they charge.
Think i will cancel Setanta and watch it all on Utube or ITV for free.
Would you bloody believe it, i got Setanta sports a few months ago just to watch the boxing, seen the Calzaghi fight and thats near enough it so far, oh seen the dull klitschko fight as well, it appears that most of the boxing is on Sky Box office now, hardly any decent fights on Setanta.
Well b
ks to Setanta and Sky Box office what ever they charge.Think i will cancel Setanta and watch it all on Utube or ITV for free.
Some good fights to come especially Mararito vs Mosley
I have had setanta for over a year it has the UFC now but it is really the Calzaghe channel
Jan 24 Antonio Margarito v Shane Mosley
Feb 21 Kelly Pavlik v Marco Antonio Rubio
Mar 28 Ryan Rhodes v Anthony Small
Mar 7 Paul Appleby v Martin Lindsay
I have had setanta for over a year it has the UFC now but it is really the Calzaghe channel
Jan 24 Antonio Margarito v Shane Mosley
Feb 21 Kelly Pavlik v Marco Antonio Rubio
Mar 28 Ryan Rhodes v Anthony Small
Mar 7 Paul Appleby v Martin Lindsay
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