MANCHESTER, England — Amir Khan pounded Marco Antonio Barrera with speedy punches 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 Brit won on a technical decision after a disciplined battering of the outclassed Mexican, who was covered in blood after sustaining a cut to his forehead in the first round.
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 training with Freddie Roach and sparring with pound-for-pound great Manny Pacquiao.
“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 is set for a shot at a title by the end of the year, promoter Frank Warren said.
On the undercard at MEN Arena, 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.
Earlier in the night, 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 the Brit 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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