Amir Khan has denied he has gambled in agreeing to face Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in the toughest fight of his career.
Khan will take a massive step up in class when he faces Barrera, who turns 35 in two days’ time, on March 14 at a British venue to be finalised by next week.
It is a bold move by the 22-year-old – who insists he had no hesitation in accepting a showdown against the seven-time, three-weight world champion.
How much Barrera has left in the tank remains to be seen, but the modern-day great is a seasoned campaigner with 64 victories in 71 fights.
Winning his first world title in 1995, he has faced Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales in a record that includes a unanimous points win over Naseem Hamed in 2001.
Khan, rebuilding his career after being flattened in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott last September, claims dispatching Barrera would dispel any doubt over his pedigree.
“This fight is not a gamble; I’m going to learn so much from it. At this stage, it’s brilliant for me,” said Khan, who has won all but one of his 20 fights.
“Barrera is tougher than any British fighter – he’s in a different league – and I’m going to seize the opportunity with both hands.
“I want to shut my critics up, prove to them how good I am. I have a point to prove, and this is the time to do it.
“I’m confident and know I can win. Winning this fight would take me to the next level.”
Khan was expected to be handled with care, after Prescott had brutally exposed his vulnerability, and normal service resumed with his two-round demolition of Oisin Fagan last month.
But in agreeing to fight Barrera, caution has been thrown to the wind in courageous fashion – and Frank Warren admits the showdown will be a pivotal moment in Khan’s career.
Negotiations with Don King, Barrera’s promoter, were completed over 72 hours – and the fight is a calculated risk compared to the step into the unknown taken against the unheralded Prescott.
“This is the right fight for Amir at this stage of his career, and we hope it will bring out the best in him,” said promoter Warren.
“Talking about fighting Barrera put a twinkle in his eye, and we’ve delivered it. This puts him well and truly on the world stage.
“Sometimes there are fights and fighters that you should grab when you get the opportunity. I think this is one of those moments. Facing Barrera will be the making of Amir.
“I can’t think during my time in boxing of anyone who has stepped up to fight a quality opponent like Amir is doing after just 20 fights. That tells you something about him.”
Khan has access to a wealth of inside knowledge on Barrera, his trainer Freddie Roach having masterminded Pacquiao’s two victories over the Mexican.
Wildcard stablemate Pacquiao will assist Khan’s preparations, and the Olympic silver medalist will also speak to Hamed over the coming weeks.
“The only thing Amir needs to learn from Naz is to train for the fight,” said Warren, in reference to Hamed’s disappointing display.
Khan returns to Los Angeles on Saturday to link up with Roach and will return to the UK, alongside his new trainer, two weeks before the fight.
Also on the March 14 bill, Nicky Cook defends his WBO super-featherweight title – while Enzo Maccarinelli meets Jonathan Banks for the cruiserweight version of the same title.
