Hamed: Barrera must prepare for defeat

Prince Naseem Hamed says defeat will be hard to take for next opponent Marco Antonio Barrera.

Hamed fights the Mexican at the MGM Grand on Saturday.

The Sheffield boxer says Barrera must deal with inevitable defeat in the vacant IBO featherweight title confrontation.

"I don't really know what he's going to do after this fight," said Hamed.

"I wish him the best in his career after this fight but I don't know if he'll get over it because this defeat is going to be so hard for him.

"I honestly feel in my heart it is a 100% pure win. I'm so confident of being victorious on the night."

Hamed has analysed Barrera's style and come up with a fight plan to counter the Mexican.

"I'm looking forward to his pressure," said Hamed. "I watch my opponents on tape and they've got so much strength in coming forward against other fighters.

"But I've realised in the past it's a totally different fight when they get in with me. All of a sudden they don't use the pressure they use on other fighters.

"We've been working on him coming forward and looking for his left hook. The question is whether he's going to have time to throw it because, if I see an opening, I'm going to be ready to knock him out in the first round.

"He's got a lot of experience, he's got some great combinations, and he punches great to the body but I want to know how he's going to react when that first shot really hits him hard.

"I'm looking for an explosion but I'm also looking for it to be a smart operation on my part."