Out With The New In With The Old?

Posted by Carlos Calderon on 03.04.2009

Marco Antonio Barrera is focused on battle with Amir Khan.


Barrera's looking to make a statement

Amir Khan (19-1, 15 KOs), the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, will defend his WBA International lightweight championship against Marco Antonio Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs) in a 12-round bout. The bout, that will no doubt be a classic, will take place at The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom. The result of the fight will answer lots of questions boxing fans and media alike have been asking as well as determine the future of either fighter.

Barrera has defeated numerous world champions and/or challengers during his Hall of Fame 19-year career such as Erik Morales (twice), Paulie Ayala, Prince Naseem Hamed, Kevin Kelly, Johnny Tapia, Robbie Peden, Mzonke Fana, and Rocky Juarez (twice). Though after loses to several fighters such as No. 1 and No. 2 pound for pound rated fighters Manny Pacqauio and Juan Manuel Marquez Barrera has been labeled as an "old man in a young man's sport".

Barrera is now anxious to stand on top of the lightweight division. A win over the younger, faster, and fresher Amir Khan would not only propel Barrera into his desired position, but also follow the current trend of "past-their prime" Hall of Fame fighters defeating the sports "new era" fighters.

Yet Barrera is more focused on another goal.

"The reason I took this fight is because a win here puts me in line to realize my top remaining goal to become the first Mexican-born fighter to win world championships in four separate weight divisions," Barrera said. "I've been world champion in three weight divisions and my goal is to win a world championship in the lightweight division. I don't want to wait. I want to get there as fast as I can. A win over Khan puts me right where I want to be."

In the sport that is boxing, the talk is usually much easier than the walk, but Barrera seems well aware of it.

"I will beat Khan because I have more experience than him and I'm still a much better fighter than he is. Khan is tall and has a good jab and hand speed. He is a good young fighter but there's nothing he can do between now and March 14 to surpass my skills and experience."

Experience has seemed to rewrite the rules of boxing these past couple of years. Forty-four year old Hall of Famer, Bernard Hopkins has shocked the boxing world with vicious beatings on current WBC champion Kelly Pavlik, Ronald Wright, and Antonio Tarver. Shane Mosley gained a stunning knock out win over the seemly unstoppable Antonio Margarito. Recently, 35 year old Juan Manuel Marquez accomplished a legendary performance that resulted in nine round knockout against a prime former lightweight titlist Juan Diaz.

Who is to say that Barrera isn't able to join the list?

When the young and the old meet in the ring on March 14th the world will know answer to that question.

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

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