By Mark Vester

Former three division champion Marco Antonio Barrera appears to have put retirement aside. He is trying to get early clearance to begin training for his next ring return. Barrera suffered a very deep gash during his March bout with Amir Khan. The fight had to be stopped in the fifth round due to the heavy flow of blood that masked Barrera's face. He was told that at least eight months were needed for the recovery but he wants to return a bit earlier.

"Dr. Victor Vallejo, who operated on the cut on my forehead, told me that I had to rest for eight months before returning to boxing. I think that the wound will heal quickly, so I'm going to try to talk to the doctor to see if I can get clearance before returning to the gym, and fight again soon," Barrera told ESTO. "The fact that my injury is improving so fast, I think I can return to fighting soon."

Barrera says that age 36, he can't afford to sit out for the full eight months.

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