Khan to silence the critics

Even my friends think I'll lose, admits Amir

Last updated: 5th March 2009  

Khan to silence the critics

Khan: fight of his life

I'm going to prove my own friends wrong, I'm going to prove the critics wrong, I am going to prove the whole world wrong and show that I am good fighter and beat Barrera.

Amir Khan
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KHAN v BARRERA
Live on Sky Box Office & in HD
Saturday, March 15
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Amir Khan admits even his own friends expect him to lose to Marco Antonio Barrera.

The Bolton lightweight says he will have to prove everyone wrong when he goes in against the Mexican legend on March 14, live on Sky Box Office.

Khan's reputation was left in tatters by that stunning 54-second loss to Breidis Prescott last September, despite a comeback win over Oisin Fagan.

Barrera would not be many people's choice as a man to rebuild their repuation against, but speaking from Freddie Roach's Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, the 22-year-old is out to prove a point.

"It's a big fight for me, probably the biggest fight of my whole boxing career, so I am going to go in there and grab it with both hands," he told Sky Sports.

"I spoke to Freddie over the phone, I said 'Freddie what do you think? Do you think I should take this fight on?'. He said 'yes, take this fight on, I know how to beat the guy and I know you've got the tools to beat this guy'.

"I'm going to prove my own friends wrong, I'm going to prove the critics wrong, I am going to prove the whole world wrong and show that I am good fighter and beat Barrera."

Better

Roach, rated by many as the best trainer in boxing, has already masterminded successes over Barrera with Manny Pacquiao.

He has enlisted the help of former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer for the fight of Khan's life, but is as certain they can make it three.

Roach also believes that the loss to Prescott might just turn out to be the making of his man.

"That loss will probably be the best thing that ever happened to this kid," he said.

"It woke him up, everything was maybe to easy for him before that. He's become a fighter now - and he wants to be a better fighter, that's the key.

"His speed, his youth, his pace will be too much for Barrera at this moment."

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Comments (17)

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Ali Khanty says...

Tell the corner to remember the swabs, vaseline, water, the gumshield, Oh! and a bottle of Windolene for Khan's chin !!

Posted 16:07 4th March 2009

Ian Cornish says...

Some people continue to say that no matter who Khan fights he will never silence the "haters" The day Khan beats a top fighter,not someone past his best or a smaller pumped up fighter,he will get respect. Khan is talking big and being disrespectful to fighters several classes above him. If Khan backs up his mouth (won't happen) he will silence the " haters" Otherwise known as people who have some knowledge of boxing and don't just believe the hype!

Posted 13:33 4th March 2009

Arnie ''hands of stone'' Panesar says...

Im a big Barrera fan so my moneys on him,he maybe a fighter in the last stretch of his career but he's only lost to the best,so his skill and experience shouldnt be questioned!!facinating fight as a warm up before hatton pacman,great for the sport because of the interest its drawing to!

Posted 08:31 4th March 2009

Mohsin Khan says...

I think alot of people are ignorant to the fact that many of the best fighters in the world lost before becomming world champ. Amir KHAN for one is heavier so his punch will be stronger also another thing the best pound for pound fighter spars with the boy and guess what he beat barrera twice! even he says KHAN is too much for the old washed up barrera. I think alot of people hate because they dont want to see a top class ASIAN fighter there! they would rather have john thaxton or someone as a champ! and hes shit. People really need to know what they are talking about when they comment about a boxer who is talented! and strong. I would like to see a rematch with prescott! that would shut up everyone.

Posted 22:30 3rd March 2009

Bigman786 Killa says...

Barrrera is an awesome boxer and amir khan will replace him as an even bigger legend of the sport.. Inshallah. yeah he made a mistake against prescott but you learn more from a defeat than you ever can from a victory.. even the great muhammad ali came back from defeats to become even greater.. khan to win by breathtaking sensational knockOUT inshallah. good luck brav we all rooting for ya.. you can beat this bum.. he used to be one of my favourites but you the man to take his thrown..

Posted 11:56 3rd March 2009

Ayaaz Darr says...

Amir Khan will win, but no doubt it will be difficult. All those who say Khan can't fight are simply wrong - he won a silver in the olympics for a reason, he's a pro boxer for a reason. The only reason you claim he will lose is because u can't accept that he's become so great in such a short space of time, with so much wealth and poularity. I agree he has fought some underclass opponents but he has also beaten many who were well ranked and former champions in their respective fields. Prescott's punch would have knocked any lightweight out and even knocked Ricky Hatton out. Whether you love him or hate him, he already is a big talent in boxing and will continue to be so. Khan V Barrera is not to be missed and will not be easy for either fighter but Khan will win in the end, no disrespect to Barrera.

Posted 23:50 2nd March 2009

James C says...

Win or lose Barrera should retire. He has nothing left to prove and he's endangering his health.

Posted 22:20 2nd March 2009

Boxing Fan says...

I think Khan can win and will win but Barrera moving up in weight and being 35 isn't going to do him any favours. If khan wins the haters/critics will just mention those factors anyway. Good luck Khan.

Posted 16:30 2nd March 2009

James Thomas says...

There is absolutely no way Khan will win this fight. Barrera is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time and 35 or not he will destroy Khan.

Posted 15:44 2nd March 2009

Marc Shaw says...

This lad has no chance against the likes of barrera, if barrera catches him with a clean solid punch, khan wil be in tatters on the canvas and won't be able to outbox barrera at all. In my opinion, it is the wrong time for khan to be taking on someone of barrera's class.

Posted 00:34 2nd March 2009

Lloyd Ledgister says...

Khan is taking on a very, very,very difficult fight. It is a big gamble to take & one I believe is to early for him, Khan will still have the defeat of Prescott still in his system, which will take along time to erode, he will be going into the fight knowing he is fighting a very established fighter who has been their, done it! & got the t-shirt. This fight could erode his confidence if he is beaten severley, from the moment the first bell sounds I believe he will still have the memories of prescott as he moves towards barrera. I cannot see it going more than 3 rounds.

Posted 22:23 1st March 2009

Saqib Rashid says...

Barrera is simply past his best.. People can big this up as a big win for Khan, but everybody who is involved in Boxing will know if Barrera was a few years younger, he'd have too much for Khan.. I hope Barrera wins as he is my favourite fighter of my generation, but I think youth may prevail..

Posted 22:04 1st March 2009

Mark Payne says...

Khan shouldn't even be in the same stadium as Barrera.Brave of him to take the fight but it smacks of publicity marketing to me.I think Barrera will toy with Khan for awhile then punch the crap out of him(hopefully).

Posted 21:37 1st March 2009

Riki Pedro says...

I was as shocked as everyone else when i found out that Khan is going to fight Barerra. I think its a huge gamble and there seems a bit of desparation on the part of Team Khan to get Amir in a big fight against a big name so that people will start believing in him again and he can slavage his career. Love him or hate him Its going to be a fascinating fight and will get everyone buzzing. I hope Khan wins and goes on to great things but time will time................

Posted 21:27 1st March 2009

Ed Obasuyi says...

Amir Khan unlike many other boxers who came up the hard way has been so over pampered,the hype he had after the olympics was like no one has ever won it before.Can anyone remember a certain guy named "Fraudley" Audley Harrison?That's a guy who supposedly won gold and was treated like he was greater than joe louis,Mike Tyson,Lennox Lewis & mohammed Ali all combined but what became of him?The fact is where Amir Khan was supposed to be put against certain humble boxers like John Murray & Kevin Mitchel just to mention a few,he was fighting part-time boxers & mechanics to make him look awesome,he was made to believe he is already a star above those guys who came up the hard way.The simple fact is Khan will lose against Barerra no doubt & he will settle for fighting P.E teachers & part-time boxers to make him look like a terminator which he is not.The boy cannot simply fight.

Posted 19:02 1st March 2009

Lee Wood says...

I personally think that if Freddie Roach says Khan is ready then he is ready,He has the speed and the stamina to outwork MAB, I hope he proves to everyone that he has come along way with Roach since the Prescott nightmare.

Posted 18:46 1st March 2009

Fight Fan says...

Good luck Amir gotta give you credit for taking this fight. Funny how everyone is saying your going to lose but if you win everyone will say Barrera was past it. You,ll never shut the critics and the haters up no matter if you fight David Haye

Posted 22:45 28th February 2009
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