BARRERA / KHAN: WHAT A MATCHUP

[Bard of Boxrec]

Barrera's scar is very evident on his head, but if reopened, he should have enough time to land a contest-ending shot on Khan before that fat ref jumps in to stop it on a cut. I hope.

[U.F.O]

Imo there is not a cat in hells chance of Kahn winning this.

Stupid Matchmaking imo, i guess it's been forced by the Ppv deal they have with sky, they needed a big fight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Got to go for Barrera. Khan has a chance just due to youth and size, but Barrera is just so much better, and so much more experienced. I just cannot reconcile the guy who was splatted by Prescott, hurt by Limond, and staggered by Gomez, with an image of an all conquering Barrera beater.

Barrera will hurt Khan and finish him off inside of eight rounds.

[Finch]

I'm torn on this one. Firstly, i love Freddie Roach, but not Khan so not really sure what i want to happen here.

Secondly, you have a legend of the ring with immense eperience, a 3 weight world champion who is moving up in weight, not a massive puncher against someone who's strong, fast, big at the weight but prone to getting hit and lacks experience.

My overriding feeling is that Barrerra has nothing to lose, where as Khan has everything therefore team Khan must a) think they really do believe they could win as they can't afford another Prescott situation so soon after or b) they are under pressure from their Sly Sports contract to get a big fight, otherwise PPV would not prove worthwile after Prescott.

If this fight was taken on the assumption of a) Khan will win, if this fight is taken on the assumption of b) it could really go either way.

Whatever happens, i can't wait !

[black panther]

Yeah I'm really looking forward to this one un all. I keep changing my mind who I think is going to win, so I'm just gonna STFU and enjoy the fight. It's definately gonna be a cracker!!

Same as mate. I can envisage scenarios where both can win the fight. I am leaning towards Barrera but it wouldn't surprise me if Khan wins on points - can't wait!

[dbf]

Looking forward to it, I hope I can catch it after seeing QTIP.

I have to go with Khan in 8 rounds, Barerra, although not shot, is well past his best and above his ideal weight. Hopefully he will give Khan something to think about though.

[MecnunK]

Definently interested now, cant wait as there are so many different outcomes possible as far as Khan's future's is concerned..

If MAB knocks him out in earlier-middle rounds it would be curtains for AK I think.

If after a hard fight MAB knocks him out in later rounds, there may still be a future for AK albiet not PPV.

Barerra wins on points gives AK some respect atleast in my eyes - still a future as a boxer

Khan wins any which way and the bandwagon carries on.... but I have a feeling no matter how he wins it there will be no redemption for him from some bxing fans...(MAB was shot and old)

Most likely though , he will get knocked down and then beat Barerra thus leaving us with as many questions as answers as per usual :p

MAB wins it and he gets a chance at the title and from the news I have read he is very determined to do this and become the first mexican to have done so at 4 weights.So all in all both fighters have alot to lose if they lose but MAB would be the bigger winner if he takes it as it gives him that chance at history making. Make or break time so will be a kick-ass fight.

p.s I backed AK to win on points.

[WildWaylon]

I am sticking with Khan getting ahead on points due to handspeed and bobbing in and out and then getting clobbered in either round 5, 6 or 7. Khan wont hurt Barrera, hes too tough but he will try to with a flurry of punches and MAB will either hook him to the body, chin him, or both. Barrera is good at picking punches and Khans defense when he dives in is non existant. If Khan was hurt by a body punch fom Gomez, which he admits to, MAB will cripple him with one. The only way Khan can win is by keeping his distance and never getting involved, therefore securing a points win. This would mean Khan on the backfoot with MAB chasing him and a pretty boring fight. There is of course the chance that Barrera could be stopped on the cut reopening, Christ I hope not.

[WildWaylon]

Report from Orange.

The last time a Briton stepped into the ring with Marco Antonio Barrera, he effectively had his career ended.

Nearly eight years ago, Naseem Hamed took on the feisty Mexican in Las Vegas. Boasting a 35-0 professional record, Naseem was the odds-on favourite for victory but he was slowly and painfully dismantled over 12 rounds and only fought once more in his career.

Barrera has promised to end another Briton's career when he takes on Amir Khan at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Saturday night, but his 22-year-old opponent has different ideas.

"He can say all he wants but I know I'll win," said the Olympic silver medallist. "He's not as tall as me, he's not as strong as me and he's not as quick as me. He might have more experience but youth will win out on Saturday night."

Khan physically appears to be in better shape than ever after training for the fight with Manny Pacquaio, who will take on Ricky Hatton in Vegas in May, and Pacquaio's legendary trainer Freddie Roach out in the US. That pair were integral in persuading him to take on Barrera.

"I spoke to Freddie and Manny and both of them said I should take it," said Khan. "Manny's about the best to ask on Barrera. He's beaten him twice and knows just how to unpick him. I couldn't have wished for a better training partner or guide for the fight. I know all about Barrera's tactics but that doesn't faze me."

Barrera has been known to fight dirty in the past. He knocked Naseem's head into a ring post during their fight in Vegas and was later warned by the referee for illegally punching his opponent while the pair were both on the ground.

And Khan knows he will have to have his wits about him as he makes a major step up in class this weekend. He may be the favourite but that hasn't prevented a shock or two in the past. Ominously for Khan, his worst moment as a fighter came at this weekend's venue when he lost in a round to little-known Colombian Breidis Prescott in September.

Khan held his hands up when the critics sharpened their knives, admitting he had failed to listen to the instructions from his corner again.

"Well, I won't make that same mistake again!" he joked. "Seriously, though, I've been given very clear instructions about fighting Barrera and know I have to pay attention to them or he'll unpick me in a second. He's a seriously experienced fighter who will take no prisoners."

[WildWaylon]

Amir Khan - From Orange

Barrera, nicknamed the "Babyfaced Assassin" has won 65 of his 72 professional bouts - 43 of them by knock-out - and, by Khan's age, had already made six defences of his world title. And, although at 35 he is a shadow of his former self, he provides a far tougher obstacle than the likes of Prescott.

"Barrera and the rest of the world are going to see a new Amir Khan in this fight," added the Briton. "He holds no fear for me. All his records and world titles mean nothing. It's just me against him and there's only one winner... me.

"If I didn't think I was going to win this fight at this stage in my career I wouldn't have taken it. But I know how to beat this guy and he'll get a shock from a young upstart, which I think he called me the other day."

Khan has spent seven weeks preparing at the notorious Wild Card Boxing Club that Roach runs in Hollywood. Every morning, he has done all the physical work asked of him - running, swimming, step work, circuit training and sprints - and in the afternoon he has been relentless in his pad work.

He has also regularly stepped into the ring with Pacquaio, becoming good friends with the Filipino in the process. However, that friendship has left him in a quandry about who to support come May.

"I'll be cheering both Manny and Ricky on I guess," he said. "It's a tough one as I'm good friends with both guys."

Worryingly for Hatton, Khan warned that Pacquaio is already in superb shape. "That's what happens when you train with Freddie Roach," added Khan. "He's made me stronger, fitter, faster, more confident - in fact, better all round. I'm better than I've ever been as a fighter and Barrera will find that out."

As for what has changed him as a fighter, Khan taps on his skull.

"It's my brain," he added. "I think a bit more and I'm a bit more mature. Before I'd go in chin up, all guns blazing. My defeat to Prescott showed that's flawed. Now I really think about it, take my time and realise I don't have to pick off people in an instant. My mind now feels like my strongest weapon."

Should he win in style, Khan plans to go to Los Angeles ahead of every fight and is already plotting a world title shot perhaps as early as this year.

"I want to fight four or five more times this year and then we'll see where it gets me," he said. "I'm still young and there's time for me to go for the big titles. Winning this fight might even lead to a world title fight so I better start raising my game on Saturday. I'm sure I will."

[Finch]

The more and more this builds up, the more i want i want MAB to win.

[MightyWarrior]

I'll bet Frank is getting a bit nervous now...

I'm going to put my head and money on the line and back Khan to win this on Sat night, in some style.
Sure, if the Mexican Warlord gets close and lands hard, it'll be curtains for Khan. But I'm betting Khan will get to Barrera, before Barrera gets to him.
Speed, movement and hard punches, when the moment's right, will take it's toll and break down an increasingly old looking Barrera as the fight wears on.
Khan by late stopage.

[BABY BLUE]

I'll bet Frank is getting a bit nervous now...

I'm going to put my head and money on the line and back Khan to win this on Sat night, in some style.
Sure, if the Mexican Warlord gets close and lands hard, it'll be curtains for Khan. But I'm betting Khan will get to Barrera, before Barrera gets to him.
Speed, movement and hard punches, when the moment's right, will take it's toll and break down an increasingly old looking Barrera as the fight wears on.
Khan by late stopage.

warren has invested alot of money in khan. he messes up again. frank would not give a shit about amir .or harrison. but will keep promoting him.
i think Mab to win this by a mile. everyonme thinks he past it. at the same time he mexican they are true warriors when its comes down to boxing.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Yes, she can and she will be.

This fight has run through my head a billion times, and the only way I see Khan winning is some bullshit stoppage where that fat disgrace of a ref panics and jumps in way too early. Or (vomits) that old cut on Barrera's head opening up. But even if the cut did reopen, Barrera would go all out to stop Khan, and succeed.

How is Khan actually going to survive long enough without being hit? Don't tell me a man who needed to land dozens of flush punches on guys like Michael Gomez before they were stopped can do the same to MAB.

Barrera may take a couple of rounds to acclimatise and Khan will look the faster man in this time. But Ye Gods, for Khan to suddenly be a defensive wizard to stay out of harms way for the whole fight? No chance.

[chinny]

I think Barrera will be way too good for Khan, MAB by stoppage.

You can get 12-1 on MAB KO before round 4 (which I am all over)!

[Bard of Boxrec]

Anyone watching the weighin? I need info!!!

[U.F.O]

Both made the weight Barrera dead on Kahn 1/2lb under

[Datsue]

I'll bet Frank is getting a bit nervous now...

I'm going to put my head and money on the line and back Khan to win this on Sat night, in some style.
Sure, if the Mexican Warlord gets close and lands hard, it'll be curtains for Khan. But I'm betting Khan will get to Barrera, before Barrera gets to him.
Speed, movement and hard punches, when the moment's right, will take it's toll and break down an increasingly old looking Barrera as the fight wears on.
Khan by late stopage.

It's the way I've seen it since the fight was announced.

It's not about "class" or "pride" or "levels" here, it's about miles on the odometer.

A Merc that's been to the moon & back won't catch up with a brand new Ford Fiesta. The only way the old Merc will beat the Fiesta is in a head-on collision. The drivers of the Fiesta (messrs Roach & Khan) will not be stupid enough to drive straight into that, despite what people think.

[MightyWarrior]

That vertical scar over Barrera's eye is going to be a real target...really hope no cuts in this one, but unless he gets it over with early, it looks inevitable that Marco is gonna cut.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I wouldn't say 'inevitable', after all it's not in a really problem area like just above the eye. And if it does open, Barrera should have enough time to finish the contest at will. :)

[DIRT SUGAR]

Love to see Khan do it but I just don't see how a one-round knockout defeat and devastating one at that, then an easy confidence-boosting stoppage win over a mismatched foe prepares Khan for someone as experienced and battle-hardened as Barrera (even at this late stage of his career).

It was only last summer Khan was getting knocked over and badly winded against Michael Gomez!!!

I really hope his moving to train with Freddie Roach has helped, but I just think this could be a painful night for Khan.

Hope he proves me wrong, but I just can't see it. He'll have to go in the trenches at some point and I just don't think he'll do it.

[chinny]

When Khan lands those (admittedly lightning quick) combinations he leaves his chin completely open. How on earth can he regularly land on someone with the class of Barerra without shipping some back? When Barerra hits Khan he will go.

[Manc-Red]

Hello Forum.....

I feel that this fight is a really bad gamble on the Khan side, - I mean he is in a rebuilding stage yeah?

Why on earth would you put an upcoming talent that's been recently been destroyed into a ring with a seasoned campaigner & not to mention a legend? (besides $) - Barrera aint over the hill just yet & this is the type of fight that will grit his teeth & hopefully claw his way into the mix for maybe the last time.

Its a make or break for Team Khan in my book.

[Hagler2002]

Hi Manc, bottom line is this fight is a mismatch, height, reach, age & size advantage against a fighter who looked terrible at the weight-in and is 35yrs old .................

[Manc-Red]

Alright Hagler,

Your correct in saying Barrera looked way out of condition for the weigh-in, a bloody disgrace even.

I do think that Barrera will counter him when he Khan flies out gun-hoe style in the first - shall be interesting to see if they worked on Khan's chin lol