Amir Khan triumphed by a fifth round technical decision after Marco Antonio Barrera suffered a severe cut early in their lightweight bout in Manchester on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Briton dominated the fight, comfortably out-boxing the 35-year-old Mexican before a cut suffered in the first round eventually brought the end in the fifth after going to the scorecards.

By the third round, Barrera was a bloodied mess. The fourth round was interrupted when the referee asked the ringside doctor to take a look at the Mexican’s cut. He was allowed to fight on, but the battle was stopped a round later with Barrera in no position to continue.

It was Khan’s most significant win and earned him the World Boxing Association (WBA) International and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental lightweight titles.

He boxed beautifully, he was mean and focused. His defense was tight and he caught Barrera with a slashing left in the opening session. The Freddie Roach treatment at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles has clearly worked wonders.

Khan believes he has finally shut up his critics by beating the Mexican legend.

Video: Khan VS. Barrera Fight

[Image via France 24]