By Mark Vester
Ricky Hatton feels that UK lightweight star Amir Khan could be getting rushed into big fights because of the big bucks that will result from pay-per-view. Khan faces former three-division champion Marco Antonio Barrera on March 14 at the MEN Arena in Manchester. It marks the third time that Khan will appear on UK-based pay-per-view television. The first time, last September, he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Colombian puncher Breidis Prescott.
Hatton still gives Khan a decent shot to beat the more experienced Barrera.
"Amir got moved on to Sky Box Office a little bit sooner than he should have done and in doing so you have got to fight these people. Perhaps he is fighting these dangermen and big names quicker than he should have done. Having said that it is not like beating Marco is beyond him and Amir is a slight favorite from a size point of view and being fresher. The key is how much Barrera has left," Hatton told Sky Sports .
Hatton feels a bit divided on the fight. He is close friends with Barrera and considers Amir Khan a good friend as well. He feels the result will be based on how much Barrera has left in the tank.
"I commend Amir for taking it, but he had to. He is on Sky Box Office and has to fight these people. It is hard for me to make a prediction, but it all depends how much Marco has got left. He looks in good shape. Marco is still in shape, ambitious still, looks up for it and is a clever man. I don't think he would have took it unless he thought he was past it," Hatton said.
"I haven't spoken to Amir or Marco about the fight. Marco and Amir are both friends and whatever the result I will be happy and sad. The last time I was in this position was when Jamie Moore fought Matthew Macklin and it wasn't nice to see. They just knocked ten bell out of each other and the knockout was probably the worst you could see. I was nearly close to tears.
"Matthew was down and out. The oxygen came in and he got stretchered out. I thought my heads was going to roll off my shoulders and I was straight to the hospital and he was right. It is not nice to see. I'll be happy and sad on Saturday week. Hopefully it won't be as brutal as Moore-Macklin."
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