Khan, Barrera to fight as scheduled

Marco Antonio Barrera will go through with his scheduled March 14 lightweight showdown with popular UK lightweight prospect Amir Khan despite suffering a nasty cut over his left eye during a tune-up bout in Mexico this past Saturday.

Barrera (65-6, 43 knockouts) clashed heads with journeyman Freudis Rojas (1-8-1), a last-day replacement fighter, in the third round of their
lightweight bout in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Rojas was disqualified for the blatant head butt but the damage was done. Many believed Barrera's fight with the 22-year-old Khan would at least be postponed because the 35-year-old fighter would not
be able to train properly, such as spar, with the injury.

However, Barrera traveled to meet with his promoter Don King on Tuesday and told King that he could still participate in the event, which will take place at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, England, and has already sold 15,000 tickets.

"His brother and trainer Jorge was a little leery, but Marco told Don, 'I want to fight. Let's go through with it,'" said King's spokesman, Alan Hopper.

Barrera and Khan (19-1, 15 KOs) will hold an international media conference call with King and Khan's promoter Frank Warren on Wednesday morning to announce the veteran's decision.