Khan's next opponent: Marco Antonio Barrera!

[Hagler2002]

Surprised no-one has just thought that this is one big fix.

A fantastic match-up and you're shouting "fix"

I wonder if the Prescott fight was a fix also

[Dioufy]

Good name on Khan's record, but the fact is, Barrera's best days came at 126lbs and 130lbs. I think it's a cynical match-up and I believe that it will be pretty even for four or five rounds and then Khan will pull away as he ups the tempo. Hope I am wrong though.

[Goz]

The more I think about this the more suspicious I am it will happen.

Why oh why would Barerra take this fight? Khan has no title, not a great deal of credibility of the world stage, is bigger than MAB, MAB could probably get a world title shot at Super-Feather, I just don't get it.

Unless Warren is paying him silly money I just don't see why he would take this fight - it just doesn't make sense.

[Hagler2002]

Get a load of this utter nonsense

KHAN TO SEEK HAMED'S HELP

Amir Khan will enlist the help of Naseem Hamed as he plots a prized victory over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

Khan has agreed to fight the seven-time, three-weight world champion at lightweight on March 14 at a British venue yet to be finalised.

Barrera's pedigree ensures the contest is a major risk, but Khan has plenty of inside knowledge to draw on.

Friend Hamed dropped a unanimous points decision to Barrera in 2001 while trainer Freddie Roach and sparring partner Manny Pacquiao know him even better.

"I'll have a good chat with Naz about it - I'll probably speak to him soon. I spoke to him just last week," said Khan.

"I'll sit down with Freddie and see what he thinks too. Having Freddie in my corner is great. He's trained Manny twice to face Barrera.

"He knows Barrera inside out. He said to me before my last fight against Oisin Fagan that Barrera would be a good opponent for me.

"Manny will be able to give me some good advice because he's fought him twice."

Khan believes Barrera, who turns 35 on Saturday and has won 64 of his 71 fights, is tailor-made for him.

"My style is perfect to beat him. He's a come-forward fighter and sometimes he's static," said the 22-year-old.

"I'll stick to my boxing - I'm not going to try to knock him out. He's got a good chin and has only been stopped once and that was by Manny.

"I'm going to do what I'm good at - using my jab and speed. He's a bit shorter than me and I've been a lightweight all my career, so I'll be more comfortable.

"He's more experienced but I plan on using my head."

Promoter allegedly believes he has spotted Barrera's Achilles heel.

"I've always known he's got a couple of flaws and that's why we tried to make him with Naz many years before they actually met," said Warren.

"Instead Barrera ended up fighting Junior Jones. Those flaws are still there."

[bennie]

Amir Khan takes a huge leap in class and puts his whole career on the line against Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in London on March 14 (venue to be confirmed).
Two fights ago the youngster from Bolton suffered a seemingly disastrous 54-second, two-knockdown defeat to Colombian surprise package Breidis Prescott in Manchester. This is a quick attempt to put that all behind him - a courageous attempt. Khan, 22, has already addressed the rather hit-and-miss training arrangements he endured prior to Prescott, shifting base all the way to Los Angeles and the well-established Wild Card Boxing Club run by trainer Freddie Roach. The fighter's suspect chin, however, remains firmly on a MEN Arena boxing canvas.
Khan settled quickly in Hollywood and impressed Roach with his handspeed and his left jab, and when he blew away Dublin's Oisin Fagan in two rounds in London in December, dropping Fagan three times. Lightweight Khan showed no ill-effects from the Prescott humbler, no lack of confidence, although Fagan was pretty appalling. Many expected a similar diet of pushovers, at least for a while, as Khan, 19-1 (15), developed and rebuilt under Roach and began those jaw exercises, so the announcement of Barrera yesterday as his next opponent caused real surprise and a real stir among fight fans.
Nicknamed "The Baby-Faced Assassin", Barrera is 35 these days but his record of 64-6 (43) speaks for itself and the former world champion at super-bantamweight, featherweight and super-featherweight has been linked to a shot at lightweight king Nate Campbell in recent months. Yes, he is past his best after 20 years as a pro (Khan was two when Barrera turned pro) but in those 20 years only Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao (twice) and Junior Jones (twice) have beaten him. The man is one of the greatest fighters of the modern boxing era, surely still great enough to handle a recently beaten kid like Khan...
Team Khan are gambling on size making a huge difference, here. Barrera only moved up to lightweight last year and will concede four inches in height and plenty of natural weight to the British man, a boiled-down light-welterweight. Barrera turned pro at flyweight. Plus, many feel that Marco Antonio should have retired after back-to-back defeats in 2007. Barrera took a year out and came back with a routine win last November - his first at lightweight - and has another fight lined up later this month in Mexico, before facing Khan. Barrera is hardly established at his new weight, despite the mooted shot at Campbell (hardly the most active fighter in the world).
Then there is Roach, of course, who steered Pacquiao to those two wins over Barrera. He must know something to have agreed to this fight so early into his relationship with Khan.
You know, seven years ago in Las Vegas Barrera 'broke' Naseem Hamed over 12 embarrassingly one-sided rounds; this time he might just be the making of Amir Khan in one of the biggest boxing gambles for many a year.
As for Breidis Prescott, he takes on a someone named Ivan Hernandez somewhere in the States next month.

[Bard of Boxrec]

To the "Oh but he's just too big strong and HUGE AT THE WEIGHT and look at his speed!!!" brigade...

Think back to when never-better-than-Euro-level Michael Gomez bobbed and weaved against Khan, moving forward and landing shots, decking Khan and probably beating him were it not for the patented Khan fight bullsh*t stoppage. A man with the same height and reach as Barrera. Oh, and Gomez was past it.

Now think to Barrera, a proven elite world class fighter, for years among the p4p best, taking on the best and winning most. A man not as the same stage of decline as Gomez - against Pac he still showed reflexes. He still showed determination and durability.. AGAINST THE #1 FIGHTER P4P!!! He has seen every style under the sun. He has seen 'speed' and 'size' and 'strength' (As if Khan is a 'strong' fighter anyway??!!). Now then, he has also seen 'chin' and 'defence' - and first rate ones at that. And as for Khan knocking Barrera out.. please. Barrera got hit by MANNY PAC and snarled back in defiance. He's not going to get starched by a guy who couldnt dent that 35 year old South African featherweight dwarf, is he? Oh, maybe. After all, he's so big strong, and fast..

If someone told Barrera this was going to be a tough fight for him, by the time he's stretched out Khan he will think they were having a laugh.

There is no chance in hell that Amir Khan will win this fight. Barrera will crush him like a bug.

[stujones]

What are the odds of it not happening? I remain convinced that Jonathon Banks was a smoke screen for a PPV... and I remain convinced Barerra will be the same.

[gobbles]

What are the odds of it not happening? I remain convinced that Jonathon Banks was a smoke screen for a PPV... and I remain convinced Barerra will be the same.

That logic doesn't really work, though, because the vast majority of people who get pay per view only do it on the same night by pressing the red button. Unless Barrera pulls out at about 8pm on the night, the view is complete rubbish, unless Warren just wants to lose a fortune - because Khan's getting his money whoever he faces.

[Captain Hook]

No interest at all in watching this fight. Barreras washed up, has nothing to offer.

Too small, too old.

Bored with Khan

What the fornicate are you doing on a boxing forum if this doesn't interest you?!

[Datsue]

http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x7cj56

Barrera's last tune-up. I know it's basically a sparring session, but he looks so old in there.

6:31 shows us he's still got a left hook to the liver, though.

Watching it, his regression of speed & defence doesn't worry me (knew that!) I was impressed that he can still remember the gaucho.

I just don't think he's got the engine any more to win vs Khan. He's been fading in the engine department since... Morales III? He was fecked down the straight in that.

(cross-posted this, mods, for info. Kindly delete from one thread if inappropriate)

[Billy_Boy]

I think that this is a very interesting match up; I really don't know who'll win. However, should Khan lose, where would that leave his career?

Perhaps I'm being incredibly cynical but I'm wondering if Khan is being set up for another fall. Now that three of the '08 olympians have signed pro terms, Khan may be seen as yesterday's news and media coverage in the UK will focus more on DeGale, Saunders and Gavin. :??

[My T Sharp]

I think that this is a very interesting match up; I really don't know who'll win. However, should Khan lose, where would that leave his career?

Perhaps I'm being incredibly cynical but I'm wondering if Khan is being set up for another fall. Now that three of the '08 olympians have signed pro terms, Khan may be seen as yesterday's news and media coverage in the UK will focus more on DeGale, Saunders and Gavin. :??

I thought that. It's a bit of a no-lose gamble for Warren. If Khan wins there's a big title fight to sell but if not he can put all his efforts into the Olympians.

[MightyWarrior]

I think that this is a very interesting match up; I really don't know who'll win. However, should Khan lose, where would that leave his career?

Perhaps I'm being incredibly cynical but I'm wondering if Khan is being set up for another fall. Now that three of the '08 olympians have signed pro terms, Khan may be seen as yesterday's news and media coverage in the UK will focus more on DeGale, Saunders and Gavin. :??

I thought that. It's a bit of a no-lose gamble for Warren. If Khan wins there's a big title fight to sell but if not he can put all his efforts into the Olympians.

That view makes ZERO sense. Of course Warren wants Khan to win this: it's MEGA bucks if he does...and if he doesn't??! It's an out and out disaster - Khan is a massive box office draw, once he gets a few decent wins under his belt ( the back from disaster story will only add to his box office )
The three olympians he's signed are near anonymous when it comes to the non boxing fan, unlike Khan, who's know by everyone. And their mum too.

[Bricks]

Incidentally, Barrerra is 35 in a day or two -- but he still knows way too much for Amir Khan. The idea of him losing to Amir is completely unfathomable. Its impossible for me to comprehend any serious boxing fan thinking Amir will be the usual 'too fast, too big, too skilled' and all the other strange misplaced tags that are put on him.

Spot on. Khans speed and power is vastly overrated. Naz was much quicker and a much more powerful puncher yet MAb destoryed him. Yeah it was 7-8 years ago but the point is Barrera still has the same skills and boxing brain to do a real number on Amir.
Goodbye Amir, thanks to Frank Warrens lousy matchmaking his career will be ruined

[gobbles]

Incidentally, Barrerra is 35 in a day or two -- but he still knows way too much for Amir Khan. The idea of him losing to Amir is completely unfathomable. Its impossible for me to comprehend any serious boxing fan thinking Amir will be the usual 'too fast, too big, too skilled' and all the other strange misplaced tags that are put on him.

Spot on. Khans speed and power is vastly overrated. Naz was much quicker and a much more powerful puncher yet MAb destoryed him. Yeah it was 7-8 years ago but the point is Barrera still has the same skills and boxing brain to do a real number on Amir.
Goodbye Amir, thanks to Frank Warrens lousy matchmaking his career will be ruined

Naz didn't even train for that fight - he was a disgrace that night, he thought he could just get by on talent

[Mowgli]

I honestly think Khan wins,if and only if,he stays off Barrera and keeps him at reach,he has to set a high tempo as Pacman did in their first fight,I think Khan stops him in the later rounds,as long as he does'nt get into a brawl.

[pasty_spud]

khan inside 3

[mark thompson]

Incidentally, Barrerra is 35 in a day or two -- but he still knows way too much for Amir Khan. The idea of him losing to Amir is completely unfathomable. Its impossible for me to comprehend any serious boxing fan thinking Amir will be the usual 'too fast, too big, too skilled' and all the other strange misplaced tags that are put on him.

Spot on. Khans speed and power is vastly overrated. Naz was much quicker and a much more powerful puncher yet MAb destoryed him. Yeah it was 7-8 years ago but the point is Barrera still has the same skills and boxing brain to do a real number on Amir.
Goodbye Amir, thanks to Frank Warrens lousy matchmaking his career will be ruined

How the fornicate can his speed be overrated, if he's got speed then he's got speed , and as you say allegedly's lousy matchmaking will ruin his career but if Amir Khan was to pull this of Against an ageing Barrera then his name would be on the world stage in a big way, and would probably lead to a world title fight .

[My T Sharp]

I think that this is a very interesting match up; I really don't know who'll win. However, should Khan lose, where would that leave his career?

Perhaps I'm being incredibly cynical but I'm wondering if Khan is being set up for another fall. Now that three of the '08 olympians have signed pro terms, Khan may be seen as yesterday's news and media coverage in the UK will focus more on DeGale, Saunders and Gavin. :??

I thought that. It's a bit of a no-lose gamble for Warren. If Khan wins there's a big title fight to sell but if not he can put all his efforts into the Olympians.

That view makes ZERO sense. Of course Warren wants Khan to win this: it's MEGA bucks if he does...and if he doesn't??! It's an out and out disaster - Khan is a massive box office draw, once he gets a few decent wins under his belt ( the back from disaster story will only add to his box office )
The three olympians he's signed are near anonymous when it comes to the non boxing fan, unlike Khan, who's know by everyone. And their mum too.

I doubt Khan is a massive box office draw at the moment...Frank is touting the fight around so it may not even be on Sky Box Office.

The draw in this fight is Barrera

[Bard of Boxrec]

Any quotes from Barrera yet? I think he has..let's call it... Jonathan Banks syndrome if you know what I'm saying..

Expect an angry press release from Barrera saying he never agreed to anything and the fight was never on.

[Rob Magic]

How the eff can his speed be overrated, if he's got speed then he's got speed , and as you say allegedly allegedly's lousy matchmaking will ruin his career but if Amir Khan was to pull this of Against an ageing Barrera then his name would be on the world stage in a big way, and would probably lead to a world title fight .[/quote]

Kahn doesnt even deserve to be in the same ring as Barrera. Warren will be thinking "Stick him in with an ageing legend so we can fast track to a world title". But then again didnt Warren think haye would be easy pickings and look how that turned out. Either way Barrera is a legend and I hope he wins so Kahn cant get an easy ride of his name.

[banjo]

Any quotes from Barrera yet? I think he has..let's call it... Jonathan Banks syndrome if you know what I'm saying..

What as in Fwank will make him magically disappear on the week of the show?

[MightyWarrior]

Barrera, Khan agree to fight

By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
So much for the slow road back for lightweight Amir Khan, the 2007 ESPN.com prospect of the year who was shockingly knocked out in one round by Breidis Prescott in September.


Khan (19-1, 15 KOs), who notched a second-round knockout of Oison Fagan on Dec. 6 in his comeback fight, will next take a significant step up in his next bout. He will face former three-division champion Marco Antonio Barrera in a 12-round fight March 14 in the United Kingdom, promoter allegedly announced Thursday.

Barrera (64-6, 43 KOs), 35, is past his prime and hasn't been a serious factor at the top of the sport since back-to-back losses to Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao in 2007. However, he's a wily pro with vast experience against elite competition, including an upset victory against another British star, Prince Naseem Hamed, in 2001.

Barrera won his lightweight debut in November in China when he blasted out journeyman Sammy Ventura in four rounds, in his first fight since signing with promoter Don King.

"This is the right fight for Amir Khan at this stage of his career. It will bring out the best in him," said Warren, who concluded negotiations with King Wednesday night. "If Amir Khan is the fighter that I think he is, this is the one for him. This will put him well and truly on the world stage. He is a big player if he comes through this. Sometimes there are fights you should make when you get the opportunity, and I think I have got my timing right here.

"This fight could be the making of Amir. I think he wins, but whatever happens, it's a good fight for Amir. You are not going to get a better guy than Barrera to be in the ring with."

Barrera is scheduled to fight Johnny Nolasco in a 10-round tune-up fight Jan. 31 in Guadalajara, Mexico. He must win and come out healthy to keep the Khan fight intact.

Khan, who is scheduled to open training camp in Hollywood, Calif., with trainer Freddie Roach on Saturday, was excited to get a fight with the future Hall of Famer, who was at King's office finalizing his agreement Wednesday.

"It is brilliant knowing you are going to be fighting a fighter who is a legend," Khan said. "I can't wait to fight him. It's going to be a brilliant fight. It gives me that extra push going into camp, knowing I'm up against a tough fighter.

"I am going to give it my all. I'm not going to go in and try and knock him out. He's only been stopped once and never been knocked out, so I'm going to use my jab and my speed against him. He may have more experience than me but I am going to use my brain. It will take me to the next level and I think it's the perfect fight for me."

Barrera's only stoppage loss was in his first fight against Pacquiao, in 2003. Khan sparred with Pacquiao to get ready to fight Fagan in December, since they are both trained by Roach.

Roach has seen Barrera up close as Pacquiao's trainer for both of their fights. He agreed with Warren that Barrera is the right opponent for Khan.

"I accepted the fight. I think it's a great fight for him at this time," Roach said. "It's a fight Amir has to win and should win. I know Barrera and I saw his last fight in China. It's a very good time for us to fight him. Me and Amir's dad talked it over and we decided to take the fight. Amir will be here Saturday and we will have a good training camp. It's not an easy fight by any means because Barrera is a game guy with a lot of experience and heart, but Amir's youth and speed will be too much for him."

Warren also announced that the undercard would include Nicky Cook, defending his junior lightweight belt against mandatory challenger Roman Martinez, as well as former cruiserweight titlist Enzo Maccarinelli.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I dunno I just keep expecting to see an angry press release from Barrera saying he never agreed to anything and the fight was never on.

[stujones]

Well promising that Roach has spoken, for Maccrinelli vs Banks the only person to speak about that fight was Enzo and the Associated Press.