Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia (born January 17,1974) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2011. He is a four time world champion in three weight classes, having held the WBO junior featherweight title twice between 1995 and 2001, and the unified WBC and IBF super featherweight titles between 2004 to 2007. Additionally, he held the IBO featherweight title in 2001, and the Ring magazine and lineal featherweight titles between 2001 and 2003.

Barrera is well known for his trilogy with fellow Mexican legend Erik Morales, his duology with Manny Pacquiao, and rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez. ESPN ranked Barrera as number 43 on their list of the 50 greatest boxers of all time. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.

Comeback trail

Barrera announced a comeback in 1998, a year later, and he started off by defeating Angel Rosario by a knockout in round five. After two more wins, he was given another opportunity to fight for a world title by the WBO. On October 31, he became a two time world super bantamwight champion by defeating Richie Wenton by a knockout in three rounds, winning the WBO’s vacant title.

In 1999, he had two title defenses and then he ran into controversy. On December 18, he defeated Cesar Najera in four rounds at California. But upon finding out that Najera had a losing record and was part of Barrera’s team, the California State Athletic Commission decided to rule the fight a no contest bout.

Barrera vs Morales

In February 2000, Barrera was defeated by the WBC super bantamweight title holder Erik Morales by a controversial 12 round split decision. It was an intense battle in which both fighters were cut and battered. The Ring named it the fight of the year.

After the bout, the WBO reinstated Barrera as their champion and he defended the title three additional times. On June 17, 2000, he defeated Luiz Freitas (19-1-0) by first round knockout. In his next bout, he defeated Jose Luis Valbuena (18-1-1) by twelve round unanimous decision. On December 1, 2000, he scored a sixth round knockout over former world champion Jesus Salud.

Featherweight

Barrera vs Hamed

In 2001, Barrera moved up in weight division. On April 7, he handed British boxer Naseem Hamed his first and only loss for the lineal featherweight championship by a twelve round decision. Before the fight, Hamed was a 3 to 1 betting favorite in Las Vegas. Hamed could not his Barrera with his trademark lifts as Barrera circled to his left and worked both head and body. Barrera was not a fan of Hamed’s antics and responded to Hamed’s punches during clinches. On one occasion early in the fight, Hamed grabbed Barrera and they both fell to the ground where Barrera threw a right jab, leading to a warning from referee Joe Cortez. In the 12^th and final round Barrera trapped Hamed in a full nelson and forced his head into the turnbuckle, resulting in a point deducted by referee Joe Cortez. Ultimately, Barrea threw more, harder punches and more impressive combinations than Hamed throughout the course of the fight. Barrera was awarded the victory via a unanimous decision, with the scorecards reading 115-112, 115-112, 116-111 and won the lineal and IBO featherweight titles. On September 8, 2001, he defeated former champion Enrique Sanchez by sixth round TKO.

Barrera vs Morales II

On June 22, 2002, Barrera defeated Morales in a rematch via a unanimous decision, successfully defending his lineal title and winning the vacant Ring magazine title but declined Morales’ the WBC belt. On November 2, he defeated former five time world champion Johnny Tapia by a 12 round unanimous decision. Barrera then competed in his 60^th career fight on April 12, 2003, defeating former WBC title holder Kevin Kelley by knockout in round four.