Amir Khan has signed up to take on Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera for what will be the biggest fight of his professional career.

Khan was just two years of age when Barrera had the first of his 71 professional fights.

The famed Baby Faced Assassin' went on to become a three-weight world champion, with one of his most significant victories coming in 2001 when he gave Naseem Hamed a boxing lesson on the way to a decisive points victory in Las Vegas.

At 34, Barrera is 12 years older than Khan and in the twilight of a stellar career.

But the bout, to take place on 14 March at a British venue which is yet to be confirmed, still represents a huge risk to Khan's reputation, which was already damaged by a first defeat against Breidis Prescott last September.

The Olympic silver medallist said: “I'm a huge fan of Barrera and to be in the same ring as him will be an honour.

“I've seen all his big fights and I know how good he is, but I really believe I have the skills to beat him.”