Lightweight WBA/WBO Showdown,
Ahmir Khan vs. Barerra
By James "Ricky" Coward
March 14, 2009
(MAR 14) Tonight at the M.E.N. Arena,
Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom...I think that most of us can
agree that few things in life get better with time, a fine wine
perhaps,,, but when it comes to professional athletes, specifically
those involved in the business of “Sanctioned Violence”, few would agree
with the adage, “It just gets better with time”. When it comes to a
fighter’s performance, the vigor of youth that energizes and drives the
“Human Machine” simply begins to slow with the passage of time. With
age, catlike reflexes dull, reaction
time slows and speed diminishes.
This evening, a boxing legend will once again step into the ring.
Though there are several marginal titles on the line, this is not for a
world championship. For Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera (65 - 6, 43KO’s)
this fight means something more significant.
A “Prize Fighter’s” legacy can mean as much to him as the titles
gathered along the way. Being revered as a former world champion is a
bragging right in itself, one that three division and six time world
champion, Marco Antonio Barrera the “Baby Faced Assassin” can
certainly attest to. So why at age 35, would the seeming future boxing
Hall of Famer step back into the ring against a much younger, 22 year
old up and coming lightweight star by the name of Ahmir Khan (19 - 0
15KOs)?
Lets take a moment and reflect, over the past few month’s we have had
the privilege of watching some of boxing’s great “Veteran Warriors”
put on stellar winning performance’s against much younger and
extremely talented fighter’s. Some for world titles and others for
bragging rights, to continue to be viewed as the best of the best, the
“Elite” in there respective divisions.
Will we see a performance from the
Mexican warrior that rivals that of his contemporaries? One that
compares to that seasoned taste that only a fine, aged wine pulled from
the wine cellar provides. If we use that same perspective in considering
the possibilities, then we should expect that this veteran “Prize
Fighter” who’s ring wars have spanned over 469 rounds and 72
professional fights, is, or could be, that “Fine Wine”. But as with
everything in life, time will tell. The talented Ahmir Khan will have
his hands full tomorrow night as he steps onto the world stage to do
battle with the man considered by most as one of the best fighter’s of
his era, and quit possibly one of the best Mexican fighters in boxing
history.
