Amir Khan’s speedy punches saw off Marco Antonio Barrera in the fifth round of Saturday’s lightweight bout, marking a turning point in his career six months after a major setback in the same arena.
The 22-year-old Briton won on a technical decision after a disciplined battering of the outclassed Mexican, who was covered in blood after a cut to his forehead in a clash of heads in the first round.
The tide of blood pouring down Barrera’s head was never stemmed and the ringside doctor eventually called a halt to the bout.
PHOTO: AFP
‘MAKE OR BREAK’
Khan’s gamble to fight a seven-time world champion 13 years his senior paid off, with the 2004 Olympic silver medalist banishing memories of being humiliated by Breidis Prescott in 54 seconds last September in style in his 21st professional bout.
“This fight was make or break for me, but I felt so comfortable it seemed liked easy work catching him with the jabs,” Khan said. “I’m happy with the performance. I mustn’t have done much wrong in that fight.”
Khan has been transformed by trainer Freddie Roach and sparring with pound-for-pound great Manny Pacquiao — sessions he felt were tougher in the end than the fight itself at MEN Arena.
“The jabbing and patience — I felt so strong. You could see the difference,” Khan said. “I had to take some shots in that match. I made some mistakes in the past and I’m not going to make them again.”
Now Khan wants a shot at a title and promoter Frank Warren said he hopes to set it up.
“I proved to a lot of people how good I am and ended the criticism I’ve been getting,” Khan said.
On the undercard, Ola Afolabi claimed a cruiserweight title by knocking out Enzo Maccarinelli, while Roman Martinez knocked out Nicky Cook to win a super-featherweight belt.
Afolabi’s decisive right hook in the ninth round knocked out Maccarinelli (29-3), the Welshman who lost the WBO title to David Haye last March.
“I trained hard, was nice and fresh but I think my lack of sparring told,” Maccarinelli said. “Take nothing away from Afolabi, I took him too lightly and I got beat.”
Afolabi (14-1-3, 6 KOs), who was born in London of Nigerian parents but now lives near Los Angeles, won the belt Haye vacated when he moved up to heavyweight.
SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT
Earlier, Martinez knocked out Cook in the fourth round to capture the WBO super-featherweight belt that Cook had held since September.
Cook was in control of his first defense until he was floored by a left uppercut from Martinez (21-0-1, 13 KOs) in the fourth round.
Shortly after Cook got up from the canvas, the Puerto Rican mandatory challenger landed a powerful left hook. As Cook (29-2) struggled to get up again, referee Dave Parris called a halt.
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