Glenn McCrory wants Amir Khan to aim even higher after shining against Marco Antonio Barrera.
First Barrera now the world for Amir, says Glenn
Even now the dust has settled, that was a great performance from Amir Khan.
I know the cut to Marco Antonio Barrera took the shine off a little bit, but I think even if you look past that, the fight had everything we had hoped for.
He was aggressive without being careless, he took control of the centre of the ring, worked everything off the jab and was in and out like a flash.
His concentration was also spot-on and still only 22 remember, he totally dominated Barrera, took the play away from him and, I think, shocked the Mexican.
Yes, he had that little bit of luck with the cut but I really think it was still an outstanding display. And it wasn't like the butt was deliberate; Barrera claimed it afterwards but I think that was just the pressure of the fight and the night taking its toll.
I really don't think he expected Khan to be as good as he was. Don't get me wrong, you don't achieve what Marco Antonio Barrera has by taking people for granted, but I do think he had the beating of a guy who had got knocked out in the first round by Breidis-who? Yet here he was totally dominated.
The first thing that we all saw was the size difference. Don't forget, Barrera was a big, big super-bantamweight and used to bullying people, yet here he was in with a massive, massive lightweight - and boy did it show!
Suspect
But it was not all about size. Barrera was also caught out by the sheer speed of Khan and his combinations.
I do think Amir still punches with his arms a bit too much but he always will as long as speed is his main weapon. And it has to be because you don't want him standing their planting his feet looking for the big shot when he has that suspect chin!
He was never a huge puncher anyway but will not need to be with that speed. He took the play away from Barrera even before the cut and showed what I thought all along; that he is a dream to work with.
Of course Freddie Roach has to take a lot of credit, but let's not forget Amir is so dedicated, so eager to listen and learn. He desperately wants to do well and that shows.
And in Roach he has a trainer who commands a great deal of respect... from everyone. It makes such a difference when a fighter listens to the bloke in his corner, because that is the hardest thing to get across - believe me!
Fighters will hear what they want to hear and it is a major advantage when you have someone in your ear who you have to listen to.
Concentration
That was what I liked about their relationship on Saturday night. Freddie was in Amir's ear all of the time; on the way to the ring, right up to the first bell.
He was constantly talking, constantly dropping those key words and phrases in here and there, just to keep his confidence up and concentration going.
It was a far cry from the Prescott fight when he walked into the ring on his own and was pretty much left to his own devices, until they picked him up off the canvas!
As a result he looked relaxed, focussed and we all saw what happened.
What happens next though? Well, why not go for a world title? The kid is confident, he has just beaten Marco Antonio Barrera and his stock his high.
OK, I wouldn't go anywhere near the WBO champion Juan-Manuel Marquez just yet and it is a dangerous division but there are a couple of vacant belts and maybe he could get the likes of Nate Campbell with one of those on the line.
It's always been his dream to win a world title and now he can make it happen. Personally I am delighted for the lad and I am delighted for British boxing. Joe has gone, Ricky is on his way and Amir Khan is undoubtedly our shining star; it would have been such a shame if he'd have been snuffed out on Saturday.
Undefeated
It was, though, a dark night for two of our other fighters. I did worry for Nicky Cook because although it's not a great step up from Commonwealth to European, but from European to world-title level can be huge. You suddenly find yourself in with better fighters who are really, really hungry.
I did worry that being undefeated, Roman Martinez might well be dangerous and so it proved. It is such a shame though, because Nicky looked good in the first round but then I think he got caught with a sneaky bodyshot quite early and that seemed to make him think twice.
He's had a great career though and I just wonder whether being a world champion will be enough for him when he thinks about going back to the drawing board and starting all over again. I hope not. I hope he does fight on because he is one of the game's good guys.
As for Enzo Maccarinelli, I am not sure what's next. The cruiserweight division in this country is weak enough for him to still be a force, but beyond that? I think that might well be it for him. He has always been linked with the MMA, so maybe now that will come about.
I don't think his preparation was ideal but at the end of the day no-one had heard of Ola Afolabi yet he came over and beat him. It's hard to see where he goes from there, it really is.
Is Amir Khan ready for a world title? Who should he fight next? And what about Cook and Maccarinelli? What's left for them? Let us know your thoughts below...
