By Zubair Ali: After his 5th round technical decision victory over modern day legend Marco Antonio Barrera, Amir Khan catapulted himself onto the world stage. In a fight that many believed was a genuine 50-50, Khan produced an exceptional performance against the ageing Barrera. Khan dominated from the opening bell, with a clash of heads causing a horrific cut on Barrera’s head in the opening round.
Many, my self included believed the fight should have been stopped due to the severity of the cut. The fight was allowed to continue, though and Khan took full advantage of his opponent’s handicap.
The cut was inspected during the fourth round with the ringside doctor deeming Barrera fit to continue. He took another look in the fifth, this time ruling that the fight be stopped. The fight went to the judge’s scorecards with two scoring the bout 50-45 and the other 50-44 all in favour of Khan.
Many were impressed with Khans speed of hand and foot, his calculated aggression, tightened defence, temperament and most of all maturity. Khan stated after the fight that he hoped the result would ‘silence the critics’. Promoter Frank Warren revealed he is looking to get Khan a world title fight by the end of the year, with Khan’s trainer Freddie Roach having equally as much faith in the former Olympic star claiming ‘he’ll be my next world champion’!
For Barrera, this could and should be the end of what has been a glittering career. The seven time, three weight world champion is clearly a shadow of his former self, after what has been a tough, gruelling career spanning over 20 years.
Khan on the other hand, might just have taken the first step in cementing his own legacy. But after his win against Barrera, where should he go? Or more importantly where will he go? The lightweight division is arguably the hottest in world boxing, with plenty of strength in depth. The great Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out former undisputed lightweight champion Juan Diaz in a pulsating fight to claim the WBA and WBO belts as well as establishing himself as the best in the world at 135lbs.
The WBC belt, vacated by Manny Pacquiao will be contested by knockout specialist Edwin Valero, who has moved up from super feather weight and Antonio Pitalua. The IBF are yet to announce who will contest there version of the lightweight title. There is also the option of a rematch with hard hitting Colombian Breidess Prescott who is thus far the only man to have defeated Khan in the paid ranks.
Before his loss to Khan, Barrera was ranked number 1 by the WBO. Khan was also ranked in the top 10. A fight against Marquez would seem to be the obvious choice but would Warren really want to put his young charge in with a great like Marquez? Marquez has stated that he intends to move up to light welterweight to possibly lock horns with pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao for a third time so Warren may decide to wait.
There is also the possibility of Khan fighting for the vacant IBF title. The biggest problem facing Khan is his inability to take a punch. He was badly shaken against Craig Watson in the amateurs and has gone on as a professional to suffer knock downs against fighters who by no stretch can be considered big hitters. And of course who can forget that brutal 54 second knockout at the hands of Prescott?
With the lightweight division swarming with talented fighters who can all pack a punch, is Khan ready to mix it up with the best? There was one moment of concern for Khan against Barrera when he was caught with a left hook that seemed to have an effect.
Considering Barrera has never been a big puncher and isn’t even a natural lightweight, Khan’s reaction to the shot leaves plenty of cause for concern! With the current list of champions, I can’t see Khan winning a world title any time soon.
There is of course the option of first cleaning up the domestic scene, something Khan seems reluctant to do. The European title is another option. Current champion Anthony Mezaache, who beat Khan’s rival John Thaxton to claim the title, looked very beatable in doing so. As Khan is a big lightweight, there’s also the possibility of moving up in weight.
Maybe that will also improve Khan’s punch resistance? The question is will Frank Warren be willing to put him in with a genuine world class fighter. Maybe he’ll opt for another ageing great past his best? Erik Morales has spoken of a return to the ring this summer.
Maybe Khan will look to fight him and gain a reputation as a legend killer. Which ever direction the team decides to take, one thing’s for certain, these are exciting times for Amir Khan!
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