02.02.09 – by James Slater – Top Promoter Frank Warren is hoping the cut suffered by Marco Antonio Barrera in his fight with late sub Freudis Rojas on Saturday night will not cause the March 14th date with his fighter Amir Khan to be put off. According to a news article on The Times online, a decision on whether or not the bout will go ahead will be made in 24-hours.
Barrera, who needed three stitches to close the gash Rojas inflicted above his left eye with blatant use of his head, will fly to Florida today, whereupon he will consult with a specialist who will decide if he will be match fit by the time March 14th rolls around. The cut is not as bad as at first feared, but it may still be enough to postpone the intriguing crossroads fight. Warren says the fight will NOT be off for good, even if the original date cannot be made.
“If the worst comes to the worst, we will put it back a couple of weeks,” Warren said. But I am hopeful it will go ahead on March 14th. I am an optimist, not a pessimist. I want the show to go on, although I know there are people out there who want it off..
“Marco is flying to Florida with Don King and they will see a doctor and hopefully everything will be OK.”
Warren also added that he did not want Barrera to have the bout he took part in on Saturday, as it was so close to the big fight (a mere six weeks time.) “I think there was pressure on him [Barrera] to go ahead with it,” Warren said.
Indeed, it does seem strange that the legendary Mexican fought a tune-up bout with the much bigger Khan clash so nearby. Barrera wanted to get rid of some more ring rust, yes, but closed session sparring with head gear would surely have been a better idea than a fight with the overmatched, 1-8-1 Rojas. If this had been the case, there would be no need to worry now, either.
With a reportedly high number of fight tickets already sold, fans will be hoping they will be seeing Khan against the Mexican great, not a late substitute. Adding to the confusing situation of March 14th, is the fact that Enzo Maccarinell’s bout against Victor Ramirez is also now apparently off (according to The Times). Ramirez is reported to have pulled out, and WBO number-5 ranked Ola Afolabi is rumoured to be the man Enzo will now face – it is not known if the vacant WBO cruiserweight belt will be on the line, however.
This whole situation just goes to show that it is no easy job being a boxing promoter!