Khan beats bloodied Barrera

LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain’s Amir Khan beat  Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera in Manchester on Saturday to  move a step closer to a shot at the lightweight world title.

Veteran Barrera, the former seven-times world champion at  three different weights, was cut in a first-round clash of  heads and the ringside doctor stopped the bout four rounds  later.

Khan, the 2004 Olympic silver-medallist, dominated the  contest, beating his 35-year-old opponent to the punch and  displaying a much-improved defence since his shock defeat by  Breidis Prescott six months ago.

Barrera fought on despite blood pouring into his left eye  from the deep gash on his forehead but he was clearly at a  severe disadvantage as Khan found his range with left jabs and  right hooks.

The 22-year-old Khan, now trained by American Freddie Roach, maintained his intensity throughout the fight and never allowed Barrera to settle into a rhythm.

Khan is now in line for a title fight against Mexico’s WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.

Earlier on the same bill, Briton’s Nicky Cook lost his WBO  super-featherweight title when he was knocked out in the fourth round by Puerto Rico’s Roman Martinez.