British lightweight hope Amir Khan (20-1) has temporarily silenced his critics by defeating Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera (65-7) in Manchester tonight.
The fight was stopped by referee David Perris in Round Five when a cut above Barrera's forehead forced the veteran to retire. The cut occurred late in the first round with an unintentional clash of heads.
Khan won on a technical decision victory, being well ahead on points on all three judges' scorecards.
“I shut the critics up,” he said afterward. “It was a tough fight for me but I made it easy work.”
The Briton was under pressure to demonstrate that he could perform at world level following the sensational 54 second knock out inflicted on him by Breidis Prescott last year.
“He's at the age now that if he can do what we think he can do, he has to beat guys like this [Barrera],” Khan's promoter Frank Warren said before the fight.
Although the clash of heads forced the fight to an early close, Khan visibly dominated the Mexican throughout the five rounds. Using his height and reach advantage he moved swiftly in and out, frequently pushing Barrera back with speedy flurries.
Khan's trainer Freddie Roach seemed particularly pleased with his protégé's performance.
“He'll be my next world champion,” Roach announced after the fight. “I have no doubt about that.”
For Barrera, it will be a disappointing end to his Manchester journey. With blood blocking the vision in his left eye, he looked sluggish throughout and appeared unable to get into range of the taller Khan.
“We came ready to fight but I couldn't see Khan from the first round onwards,” he said. “I didn't even feel his punches—he has fast hands but he didn't hurt me.”
Where the Mexican warrior will go from here is unclear. He said he would speak to his promoter Don King and his family before making any decisions.
For Khan this victory is an important step in his rehabilitation. He will now find himself moving back into range of a world title shot. And if tonight's performance is anything to go by, he may well be a serious contender.
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