ESPN Boxing

So much for the slow road back for lightweight Amir Khan, the 2007 ESPN.com prospect of the year who was shockingly knocked out in one round by Breidis Prescott in September.

Khan (19-1, 15 KOs), who notched a second-round knockout of Oison Fagan on Dec. 6 in his comeback fight, will take a significant step up in his next bout. He will face former three-division champion Marco Antonio Barrera in a 12-round fight March 14, promoter Frank Warren announced Thursday.

The fight will be held in Manchester, England.

Barrera (64-6, 43 KOs), 35, is past his prime and hasn't been a serious factor at the top of the sport since back-to-back losses to Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao in 2007. However, he's a wily pro with vast experience against elite competition, including an upset victory against another British star, Prince Naseem Hamed, in 2001.

Barrera won his lightweight debut in November in China when he blasted out journeyman Sammy Ventura in four rounds, in his first fight since signing with promoter Don King.

"This is the right fight for Amir Khan at this stage of his career. It will bring out the best in him," said Warren, who concluded negotiations with King Wednesday night. "If Amir Khan is the fighter that I think he is, this is the one for him. This will put him well and truly on the world stage. He is a big player if he comes through this. Sometimes there are fights you should make when you get the opportunity, and I think I have got my timing right here.

"This fight could be the making of Amir. I think he wins, but whatever happens, it's a good fight for Amir. You are not going to get a better guy than Barrera to be in the ring with."

Barrera is scheduled to fight Johnny Nolasco in a 10-round tune-up fight Jan. 31 in Guadalajara, Mexico. He must win and come out healthy to keep the Khan fight intact.

Khan, who is scheduled to open training camp in Hollywood, Calif., with trainer Freddie Roach on Saturday, was excited to get a fight with the future Hall of Famer, who was at King's office finalizing his agreement Wednesday.

"It is brilliant knowing you are going to be fighting a fighter who is a legend," Khan said. "I can't wait to fight him. It's going to be a brilliant fight. It gives me that extra push going into camp, knowing I'm up against a tough fighter.

"I am going to give it my all. I'm not going to go in and try and knock him out. He's only been stopped once and never been knocked out, so I'm going to use my jab and my speed against him. He may have more experience than me but I am going to use my brain. It will take me to the next level and I think it's the perfect fight for me."

Barrera's only stoppage loss was in his first fight against Pacquiao, in 2003. Khan sparred with Pacquiao to get ready to fight Fagan in December, since they are both trained by Roach.

Roach has seen Barrera up close as Pacquiao's trainer for both of their fights. He agreed with Warren that Barrera is the right opponent for Khan.

"I accepted the fight. I think it's a great fight for him at this time," Roach said. "It's a fight Amir has to win and should win. I know Barrera and I saw his last fight in China. It's a very good time for us to fight him. Me and Amir's dad talked it over and we decided to take the fight. Amir will be here Saturday and we will have a good training camp. It's not an easy fight by any means because Barrera is a game guy with a lot of experience and heart, but Amir's youth and speed will be too much for him."

Warren also announced that the undercard would include Nicky Cook, defending his junior lightweight belt against mandatory challenger Roman Martinez, as well as former cruiserweight titlist Enzo Maccarinelli.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.