British Boxing: Amir Khan In Great Shape For Test Against Marco Antonio Barrera

Amir Khan showed all the benefits of a lengthy training camp in California today as he wowed the press during a media workout in Bolton, England.

Looking in the shape of his life, Khan vowed to set up a world title opportunity when he faces Marco Antonio Barrera next weekend. The 22-year-old will meet the legendary Mexican March 14 at the MEN Arena in a fight that will effectively double as a WBO lightweight world title eliminator.

Khan has spent the last six weeks in LA working with acclaimed trainer Freddie Roach, a followup to an initial two-month spell on the west coast of America after Khan’s loss to Breidis Prescott.

That training camp resulted in Khan beating Oisin Fagan at the ExCeL Arena in London last December, and he’s hoping for another victory under Roach , who will join Khan over the weekend, on March 14.

“I can’t wait for the fight on Saturday,” said Khan. “I’ve still got to prove a few people wrong and hopefully I can do that against Barrera. “

“He’s a great fighter but I think his style is made for mine. This is the right fight at the right time for me. I’ve had a fantastic training camp in the States, and everything has gone brilliantly.

“Freddie is such a knowledgeable trainer and so is everyone around him. We’ve worked out a good game plan for Barrera, and now it’s a case of putting it into action.”

As he was ahead of the Fagan fight, Khan hasn’t bulked up in the States, suggesting, unsurprisingly, that he will be relying on his speed against Barrera. “We’ve worked on my body shape and I’m happy with the way things have gone,” said Khan. “I felt so good against Fagan, we’ve done the same kind of things in camp, fitness-wise, this time around.”

In addition to Khan-Barrera, two other fights will be broadcast on PPV former WBO cruiserweight title-holder Enzo Maccarinelli, 29-2 (22), the No. 1 contender, battles No. 2 rated and NABO champ Ola “Kryptonite” Afolabi, 13-1-3 (5), for the vacant WBO cruiserweight championship and WBO super middleweight champion Nicky “Cookie” Cook, 29-1 (16), defends his title belt against undefeated No. 1 contender Roman “Rocky” Martinez, 21-0-1 (12).

Integrated Sports is distributing three 12-round championship bouts featured on the “Khan-Barrera” pay-per-view card, presented by Frank Warren, in North America for live viewing at 4 PM/ET – 1 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

A replay will be shown later that night starting at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT. Veteran blow-by-blow announcer Ian Darke and color analyst, former WBC lightweight champion Jim Watt, will be calling the action from ringside for Sky Box Office and Integrated Sports PPV.