Khan vs. Barrera: It's On

By Clive Bernath: Amir Khan faces the toughest test of his 20 fight career on March 14 when he faces Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera. The venue has not yet been confirmed but it is believed the fight will take place in either London, Manchester or Cardiff.

The 34 year-old from Guadalajara may well be some years past his best but his unquestionable experience in battling high profile fighters such as Erik Morales(three times), Johnny Tapia, Naseem Hamed, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao-make him a very dangerous and risky opponent.

The 22 year-old from Bolton has displayed a fragility around the chin ever since he was floored by the light punching Willie Limond in July 2007 and by Michael Gomez a year later. But it was not until Colombian puncher Breidis Prescott knocked him out inside a minute last September that the fears about Khan’s suspect whiskers were confirmed.

That said the likeable former Olympic Silver medallist from the 2004 Games in Athens, bounced back in style by stopping the normally durable Irishman Oisin Fagan in the second round last September.

Promoter Frank Warren has built his reputation over the years by providing quality opponents at exactly the right time for his upcoming high profile boxers but on this occasion there is every chance this match up could backfire. One presumes Warren sees Khan’s youth, speed and fitness as a crucial key to victory but if Barrera can reproduce just a fraction of the form that allowed him to claim world titles at three weights, The young Bolton prospect could have his hands full.

Barrera fought just once in 2008, a fourth round tko win over Mexican journeyman Sammy Ventura. But he is pencilled in to face John Nolasco from the Dominican Republic in Mexico on January 31. Whether that fight goes ahead after accepting the Khan fight is not clear.

January 15, 2009