Promoters Frank Warren and Don King are currently lobbying the WBO to put their now-vacant lightweight title on the line for the March 14 bout between Amir Khan (19-1, 15 KO) and Marco Antonio Barrera (65-6, 43 KO).
Barrera, 35, is currently the No. 1 contender by the WBO's rankings, while 22-year old Khan is ranked ninth. Both rankings are rather absurd, all things considered, but that's sanctioning body rankings for you. Barrera hasn't beaten a good opponent in almost three years and Khan hasn't beaten anyone very good, period. Khan was also knocked out in 54 seconds last September and since then has fought once, beating journeyman Oisin Fagan.
Though I think the idea of Barrera and Khan as two guys that should contest a vacant title is pretty weak, it's not like the WBO will come up with anything better, either, and Warren and King will likely sell them on the idea. It's the top-ranked contender against another guy in the top ten. By definition, it's a perfectly credible vacant title fight. Using brainpower, it's really not, but whatever.