( CNN ) -- Promosing Briton Amir Khan took a huge step towards a world title shot at lightweight after a fifth-round technical decision win over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in Manchester on Saturday . Amir Khan ( right ) lands another punch on Marco Antonio Barrera on his way to a points victory on Saturday . Khan , 22 , comfortably out-boxed his 35-year-old opponent -- a seven-time world champion at three different weights -- before a cut suffered in the first round eventually brought the contest to a premature end , forcing the result to be decided on the judges scorecards . The 2004 Olympic silver medalist faced a major step up in class against Barrera but victory means he could be in line for a world title shot later in the year , probably against WBO champion Juan Manuel Marquez . Despite being far from home , Barrera received a rapturous reception from the British crowd while Khan was amazingly booed by some . Khan boasted a significant height and reach advantage over his naturally smaller opponent as they squared up before the opening bell . Khan began the first round measured without being negative and was firing off lightning-quick volleys . Two excellent right hands landed and Barrera also found the target occasionally without hurting his man . But Barrera had suffered a cut as he took several hard left hooks and a decent right and ended the round with a bad gash over his left eye -- close to an old wound suffered in his last fight . Concerns about the injury proved to be well-founded as blood streamed down his face in the second round . Barrera could only really see from one eye and his task was made more difficult as Khan boxed , moved and showboated in the style of a future champion . The referee interrupted the fourth round to have Barrera 's cut looked at by the ringside doctor and despite the severity of the injury , the fight carried on . Again the referee paused the action in the fifth to have the cut looked at and this time , with blood literally coursing down his face , the end finally came . The cut was ruled an accidental clash so the fight went to the scorecards , with the classy Khan winning by 50-44 and 50-45 twice .
Briton Amir Khan beats Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in Manchester . Khan wins on the judges scorecards after a cut over Barrera 's eye stops fight . Khan in line for a clash with WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez .