by James Slater – In separate interviews – one with Sky Sports, the other with The Sun newspaper – Amir Khan has been talking about the upcoming super-fight between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao, and the demands some have made for him to face Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch. The 22-year-old wannabe world champion/mega-star is in two minds as to who will win in Las Vegas on May 2nd, but he is 100-percent sure about the Barrera situation – there will be no rematch.
Khan spoke first to Sky Sports News about the mouth-watering light-welterweight clash that takes place in less than a months time..
“I think it’s going to be fun because Manny Pacquiao has got the speed and the explosiveness and so has Ricky Hatton – he is very explosive as well” Khan said. “I don’t think Manny Pacquiao has been hit in the body by a good body puncher like Ricky Hatton. I think once Ricky puts the pressure on with those body shots and bombs on the body….. you don’t know.
“And the pressure, can Manny Pacquiao handle the pressure or can Ricky Hatton handle the speed of Manny Pacquiao?”
Khan, like many of us, is hugely excited about the big fight. Also like a number of us, he cannot pick a winner.
“It’s a 50-50 fight because both fighters are at the top of their game,” Khan went on. “They have had good wins, good wins in their previous fights. It is a 50-50 fight and I am just going to go there and enjoy the night.”
Way to sit on the fence, Amir!
In speaking to The sun about his win over Marco Antonio Barrera, Khan was far more sure about things. Though Don King has filed an official protest and has demanded a return due to the way his fighter was seriously hindered due to the cut he suffered in the 1st round, Khan says the return match will not happen. Perhaps the March fight should’ve been ruled a No-Contest, as King maintains, but Khan says there is no way he will box the Mexican for a second time.
“There is no point in fighting Barrera again, Khan said. “Before I boxed him there were experts lining up to tell me I shouldn’t fight him because he was a dangerous big puncher. After I beat him those experts said Barrera was over-the-hill. So if I beat an over-the-hill fighter again what would it mean – nothing.”
Though many fans will argue with Khan, it seems the lightweight contender has made up his mind. According to The Sun, Khan’s next fight is scheduled to take place on June 27th, with former world champ David Diaz the “preferred” opponent.
What Don King will make of this we will have to wait and see.