Khan's next opponent: Marco Antonio Barrera!

[Chambers2]

I think this is a cracking fight (I'd have prefferred Khan Vs Murray but hey-ho). Khan's got to fight a clever fight to get a win in this one, but I think it's very possible considering the size difference and the respective stages of their careers.

It's excellent to see that Amir and Frank are willing to match him aggressively despite his loss, they deserve a BIG pat on the back. It's definately a good fight for the fans imo and if Amir does lose he's lost to a legend, albeit a slightly-faded one.

[tonyevs]

Has Roach`s judgement been clouded by his gamble with Pac V ODLH?

I don`t see Barrera coming in weight drained .. will Roach be given the FO tablet if it goes the same way as the last trainer??

[My Name Is Earl]

Looking forward to hopefully catching some of MAB's sparring when he settles in over here. Hatton's place ?

[BABY BLUE]

MAB is a legand. he has experience who has won world titles in 3 weights .khan has not even fought top ten elites in LWs in the world. khan thinks his youth and looks and speed will help him demloish MAB .he can think again .if khan takes a punch on the chin .hes will get Ko'd.
its a huge gamble for warren .its going to be a great match though.

[WildWaylon]

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.

MAB wants to establish himself at LW by beating a decent fighter and get a shot at the LW title. He thinks although Khan is a decent fighter, he can exploit Khans obvious weaknesses and get the win over him. Barrero has a decent body shot and he knows Khan has a weak chin as well so he is confident he can do it, regardless of Khans youth, size and speed. He certainly isnt coming over to be a stepping stone for Khans career or to give Khan a top name on Khans record.

[WildWaylon]

I think this is a cracking fight (I'd have prefferred Khan Vs Murray but hey-ho). Khan's got to fight a clever fight to get a win in this one, but I think it's very possible considering the size difference and the respective stages of their careers.

It's excellent to see that Amir and Frank are willing to match him aggressively despite his loss, they deserve a BIG pat on the back. It's definately a good fight for the fans imo and if Amir does lose he's lost to a legend, albeit a slightly-faded one.

Khan losing to a legend doesnt make it OK. The legend is a much smaller guy towards the end of his career so fighting a true LW for the title doesnt look good for Khan. Good work by Warren getting the fight made but if Khan wants the big time he has to prove he is worth the big money Frank is paying him and beat Barrera.

[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. :??

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'm not convinced that's the case

[gobbles]

I think this is a cracking fight (I'd have prefferred Khan Vs Murray but hey-ho). Khan's got to fight a clever fight to get a win in this one, but I think it's very possible considering the size difference and the respective stages of their careers.

It's excellent to see that Amir and Frank are willing to match him aggressively despite his loss, they deserve a BIG pat on the back. It's definately a good fight for the fans imo and if Amir does lose he's lost to a legend, albeit a slightly-faded one.

Khan losing to a legend doesnt make it OK. The legend is a much smaller guy towards the end of his career so fighting a true LW for the title doesnt look good for Khan. Good work by Warren getting the fight made but if Khan wants the big time he has to prove he is worth the big money Frank is paying him and beat Barrera.

He's not a much smaller guy, he won a world title 5lb down, so that doesn't make him much smaller. He's bigger than Pacquiao

[Asterix]

I think this is a cracking fight (I'd have prefferred Khan Vs Murray but hey-ho). Khan's got to fight a clever fight to get a win in this one, but I think it's very possible considering the size difference and the respective stages of their careers.

It's excellent to see that Amir and Frank are willing to match him aggressively despite his loss, they deserve a BIG pat on the back. It's definately a good fight for the fans imo and if Amir does lose he's lost to a legend, albeit a slightly-faded one.

Khan losing to a legend doesnt make it OK. The legend is a much smaller guy towards the end of his career so fighting a true LW for the title doesnt look good for Khan. Good work by Warren getting the fight made but if Khan wants the big time he has to prove he is worth the big money Frank is paying him and beat Barrera.

He's not a much smaller guy, he won a world title 5lb down, so that doesn't make him much smaller. He's bigger than Pacquiao

I have a hard time believing that. Pacquiao was 148.5 lbs in the ring against De La Hoya.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Barrera has never been physically very physically imposing, he never looked very strong even at super featherweight let alone at lightweight. He is going to look tiny in there against Khan.

[Gray-Fox]

When is the fight?

[banjo]

When is the fight?

14th march apparently

[tonyevs]

[He's not a much smaller guy, he won a world title 5lb down, so that doesn't make him much smaller. He's bigger than Pacquiao

Not too sure about that .. see for yourself

Check out the size differential between barrera and ODLH .. Oscar is the same height as Khan

[Dioufy]

Barrera is a legend but is far above his best weight division and is past his best - typical match-making from Franky Warren. I can see Khan pulling away late on and stopping Barrera when he's out of his last legs. Cynicalism is my forte though.

[MightyWarrior]

- 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'm not convinced that's the case

As in, if he beats Barrera in style, then maybe bags another prime time blowout, then we WILL be big boxoffice.

[Rob Magic]

Its a shame really. Doesnt anyone else but me get fed up with Kahn getting put in against smaller oposition. Barrera is a legend in my eyes and the size difference between the two is going to be noticable. I wont be jumping on the Kahn bandwagon if he wins. Then again St.Claire was smaller and still took Kahn the full 12. Only time will tell if it even comes off.

[Dioufy]

Doesn't anyone else but me get fed up with Kahn getting put in against smaller opposition.

I think that's why I'm so cynical about this fight. For the vast majority of Khan's career he's been fed guys who have been out of their natural and most affective weight class. Even if Khan wins, which I think he will, then I still won't be convinced and confident when he's put in with a natural 135lb fighter. It's my pet hate, putting guys who are smaller than their opponent into the ring - it creates an immediate and effective disadvantage. I mean, just look at the biggest fighter Khan has fought with a little something about them, somebody who's fought above lightweight and somebody who trains hard to make the weight - that man annihilated Khan, and the same will happen when Khan steps up in class with somebody who's the same size, or bigger than Khan.

[terminator]

I mean, just look at the biggest fighter Khan has fought with a little something about them, somebody who's fought above lightweight and somebody who trains hard to make the weight - that man annihilated Khan, and the same will happen when Khan steps up in class with somebody who's the same size, or bigger than Khan.

It's funny how when Khan was matched with Prescott no one was talking him up then

Khan does have a size advantage but he is inexperienced and i think this will be competitive fight
If Gomez and Limond gave Khan some problems and a faded Barerra is miles better than these guys!!

[Dioufy]

Because no one knew anything about him then, but when he did what he did, we all knew him.

[Goz]

Doesn't anyone else but me get fed up with Kahn getting put in against smaller opposition.

I think that's why I'm so cynical about this fight. For the vast majority of Khan's career he's been fed guys who have been out of their natural and most affective weight class. Even if Khan wins, which I think he will, then I still won't be convinced and confident when he's put in with a natural 135lb fighter. It's my pet hate, putting guys who are smaller than their opponent into the ring - it creates an immediate and effective disadvantage. I mean, just look at the biggest fighter Khan has fought with a little something about them, somebody who's fought above lightweight and somebody who trains hard to make the weight - that man annihilated Khan, and the same will happen when Khan steps up in class with somebody who's the same size, or bigger than Khan.

It's Warren all over.

[frankwarrenfan]

great match-up

well done frank

[DG.]

Barrera, Khan agree to fight

By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com


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.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

Junior Jones knocked him out but his corner entered and nte result was a dq' win for Jones.

If Barrera has anything let he should beat Khan by KO - but I suspect he has 70% left of the REAL Barrera.


MAB ko 3 AK.

[lightheavy]

Dont think this match will happen.....

[GlobalBox]

Dont think this match will happen.....

Don't think it will either, certainly one or two hurdles to overcome first I reckon.

[lightheavy]

Dont think this match will happen.....

Don't think it will either, certainly one or two hurdles to overcome first I reckon.

Me to think FW been very clever