Is Khan Destined For Another Failure Against Barrera?

Posted by Carlos Calderon on 01.29.2009

Marco Antonio Barrera-Amir Khan: who has the advantage?

All fans were shocked and amazed watching Amir Khan suffer a vicious first round knock out by the hands of an unknown Colombian slugger by the name of Breidis Prescott. Lets all admit it, that is what we still think of when Amir Khan's name is mentioned. Khan's decision to fight Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera is the perfect idea to erase that image and to casual fans he might again be viewed as the future star in the sport.

This is a perfect match up for either fighter to prove that they still have "it".

This match up is yet another crossroads fight that we have seen many times in the sport. When up and coming fighters meet with the old experienced fighter. Match ups such as Oscar de la Hoya-Julio Cesar Chavez, Erik Morales-Manny Pacquiao, and now Amir Khan-Marco Antonio Barrera.

Just saying it sounds right doesn't it?

Marco Antonio Barrera is regarded as a past his prime legendary fighter. Anyone and everyone will question Khan's chin, but the fact is that Barrera has only one knockout since 2005 - a 4th round TKO of heavily overmatched Sammy Ventura in his last fight.. He no longer squares up with fighters as the Barrera of old. He now seems more content to outbox and outwork his opponent over twelve rounds. His experience and skill is what gains him the win over his recent opponents like Rocky Juarez. Barrera will have to increase his work rate to out box the younger, faster, and fresher Khan over twelve rounds. Yes Barrera has the experience and skill to do it, but does his body, which has been through as much punishment has a 1987 Chevy pick-up truck, still have what I takes?


Can the Barrera of old show up against Khan?

If so this is era to do it.

These 2 years we have seen older "past their prime" fighters school and embarrass the younger fighter in the ring. Bernard Hopkins gave Kelly Pavlik the worst boxing clinic he has ever experienced. Shane Mosley did what the prime Cotto couldn't do to the unstoppable Margarito last week. What is to say Barrera can't join the trend in the sport?

Nothing.

He has proved critics wrong before and no one can ever argue that he can't do it again against Khan. He out boxed the younger Juarez and stood his ground plus more against Manny Pacqauio. Barrera has competed on a whole other level during his prime and has an older fighter that Khan hasn't even managed to tap into yet. He still has the conditioning of an elite athlete and the mind set of a hardcore fighter because that is what he is.

Khan has never been in the ring with anyone has skilled as Barrera. He has never been pushed to his physical limit to exchange leather with someone who can dish out just has much as he can. Barrera has done more in his carrier. His only let down is his aging body.

Barrera has a lot less to overcome than the younger Khan. Yet this is boxing and nothing can hide from the truth within the ring. The truth will be known when the two fighters meet in Manchester on March the fourteenth.

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For questions or comments email Carlos Calderon at [e-mail]