Amir takes advice from Pacquiao as he gears up for the big fight
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AMIR Khan has vowed to prove his critics wrong when he takes on Marco Antonio Barrera this week in Manchester.
The two boxers meet in the crunch match this Saturday and neither is backing down as the pre-fight war of words hots up.
The legendary Mexican has claimed that Khan is nothing special – and has promised to school him like he did Naseem Hamed at the start of the Millennium.
“I will beat Khan because I have more experience than him and I’m still a much better fighter than he is,” said Barrera, a three weight world champion.
“He is a good young fighter but there’s nothing he can do between now and March 14 to surpass my skills and experience.
“Don’t forget what I did to Prince Naseem Hamed, too, another highly-touted guy with fast hands.”
But Khan, who returned to the UK over the weekend after an intensive, six-week training camp in California, has hit back ahead of the pair’s clash, which will be broadcast live on Sky Box Office in the UK.
“Barrera is a great fighter but it’s my time now,” he said.
“I had a great training camp in LA with Freddie Roach, everything is beginning to fall into place and I’m 100% up for this fight.
“I’ve got a lot to prove to the critics. It’s not going to be easy at the M.E.N, but the sparring I had in LA has really boosted my confidence.
“I don’t think I am going to win this fight – I know I’m going to win it.”
Khan has also been having in depth talks with Manny Pacquiao, who has twice beaten Barrera, as well as a host of other Mexican fighters, and is known as “The Mexican Slayer”.
“Manny’s been giving me some great advice,” said 22-year-old Khan. “We sparred a lot ahead of my last fight, and he’s had some input this time around as well.
“Obviously he’s beaten Barrera before, and he’s given me some good tips.
“He knows how tough these Mexicans can be and what it takes to beat them, and fingers crossed a bit of his magic can rub off on me.”
“I will beat Khan because I have more experience than him and I’m still a much better fighter than he is,” said Barrera, a three weight world champion.
“He is a good young fighter but there’s nothing he can do between now and March 14 to surpass my skills and experience.
“Don’t forget what I did to Prince Naseem Hamed, too, another highly-touted guy with fast hands.”
But Khan, who returned to the UK over the weekend after an intensive, six-week training camp in California, has hit back ahead of the pair’s clash, which will be broadcast live on Sky Box Office in the UK.
“Barrera is a great fighter but it’s my time now,” he said.
“I had a great training camp in LA with Freddie Roach, everything is beginning to fall into place and I’m 100% up for this fight.
“I’ve got a lot to prove to the critics. It’s not going to be easy at the M.E.N, but the sparring I had in LA has really boosted my confidence.
“I don’t think I am going to win this fight – I know I’m going to win it.”
Khan has also been having in depth talks with Manny Pacquiao, who has twice beaten Barrera, as well as a host of other Mexican fighters, and is known as “The Mexican Slayer”.
“Manny’s been giving me some great advice,” said 22-year-old Khan. “We sparred a lot ahead of my last fight, and he’s had some input this time around as well.
“Obviously he’s beaten Barrera before, and he’s given me some good tips.
“He knows how tough these Mexicans can be and what it takes to beat them, and fingers crossed a bit of his magic can rub off on me.”
