by James Slater – Say what you want about March 14th’s Amir Khan Vs. Marco Antonio Barrera clash – be it either an ultra-risky fight for Khan, nothing more than a match-up between a young prospect and a sufficiently faded force, or something in between – but the match-up has got people talking and the fans running for tickets. With still well over a month to go before fight time, the fight has managed to shift two-thirds of the 20,000 available tickets at The M.E.N Arena, Manchester..
Considering how Britain is currently suffering a recession, this is surely proof of how interested fight fans are in the bout that has been referred to as “the ultimate crossroads fight.”
According to a news article on Asian News, promoter of the fight Frank Warren is extremely happy with how appealing the fight has clearly proven to boxing enthusiasts.
“This is one of the fastest-selling fights I have ever promoted,” Warren said. “I’m extremely happy with the way things are going, especially in this economic climate, and would expect it to sell out soon. The vast majority of ticket buyers are from Britain, but we expect people to fly in from the US and Mexico.”
The atmosphere at the top venue for boxing in the city of Manchester is sure to be something special, especially when you consider how the lightweight showdown will be one that will have its share of fireworks. But which of the two men will be the one landing most of the fire – the 22-year-old or the 35-year-old all-time great?
Warren admits the fight is a gamble for Khan, and one that makes him nervous at that.
“Putting Amir in the ring with Barrera does make me nervous,” the promoter confessed. “It’s not going to be an easy fight. But Amir is a quality fighter and his style, size and youth will be the deciding factor. I picked Barrera for Amir knowing nothing is certain in boxing. Amir is a bigger attraction at this stage of his career than Ricky Hatton was since he came out of the Olympics and on to terrestrial TV. If he comes though this fight he will be a massive star in the US.”
Stardom does await the man who earned a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic games if he comes through in March, that’s for sure – but WILL he come through the fight okay? Though we have no idea just how much the legendary Mexican has left, he is not a fighter who could in any way be referred to as being shot.
Khan himself is extremely excited about the upcoming bout, and he is looking to emulate all the great things Barrera did in his own career.
“I’m so happy that the fight is at The M.E.N Arena and it’s going to be an absolutely wicked atmosphere,” Khan said. “There have been so many great nights there and I believe my fight against Barrera will rank alongside those – I just can’t wait. This is a fight for the fans and a chance for them to see Barrera, who is a boxing legend, against a young fighter who aims to achieve what he has.”
March 14th really could be make or break for the hugely popular fighter who only last September was shocked inside a minute by Colombia’s Breidis Prescott.