Marco Antonio Barrera


Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2011. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the WBO junior featherweight title twice between 1995 and 2001, the Ring magazine and lineal featherweight titles between 2001 and 2003, and the unified WBC and IBF super featherweight titles between 2004 and 2007.
Barrera is well known for his trilogy with fellow Mexican legend Érik Morales, his duology with Manny Pacquiao, and his rivalry with Naseem Hamed and Juan Manuel Márquez. 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.

Amateur career

As an amateur, Barrera had a record of 104–4 and was a five-time Mexican national champion.
Before losing his first amateur contest, Barrera had an undefeated record of 56–0.

Professional career

Super flyweight

Barrera made his professional debut at 15 when he defeated David Felix by a knockout in round two on November 22, 1989. The victory marked the beginning of a 43 fight win streak.
In 1990, Barrera had seven fights, including his first rise in quality opposition, when he defeated veteran Iván Salazar, by a decision in eight rounds. In 1991, he had seven more fights, defeating boxers Abel Hinojosa, Javier Díaz and others.
Barrera began 1992 by winning his first professional title, defeating Justino Suárez by a decision in twelve rounds to win the Mexican super flyweight championship. He retained the title three times before the end of the year which helped improved his ranking in the super flyweight division. He defeated Abner Barajas by a decision in ten rounds, and Angel Rosario by a knockout in six rounds.
In 1993, Barrera had six bouts, winning each. He defeated Salazar in a rematch and retained his title against Noe Santillana and among others.
By 1994, Barrera was attending University to become a lawyer and also continued his boxing career. On April 13, he defeated future champion Carlos Salazar by a ten-round decision in Argentina. He also defeated former world champion Eddie Cook before the end of the year.

Super bantamweight

First world title

Barrera began 1995 by fighting for a world title. On March 31, he became the WBO super bantamweight champion by defeating Puerto Rican boxer Daniel Cobrita Jiménez by a decision in twelve rounds at Anaheim, California. By this time, many boxing journalist were calling Barrera "Mexico's next Julio César Chávez."
He made four defenses before the year was over. On June 2, 1995, he defeated future champion Frank Toledo via second round knock out. Barrera knocked Toledo down twice before the fight was stopped.
On July 15, 1995, Barrera scored a first-round knockout win over Maui Díaz. In his next bout, he won a twelve-round unanimous decision over future champion Agapito Sánchez.
On February 6, 1996, he fought on the first installment of HBO Boxing's spin-off series "HBO Boxing After Dark." In one of the fights of the year, Barrera stopped Kennedy McKinney in 12 rounds, knocking him down five times whilst suffering one knockdown himself.
After the McKinney fight, he defeated former WBO champion Jesse Benavides by third-round knockout. On July 14, 1996, he defeated another former champion, Orlando Fernandez, by seventh-round TKO.

Defeat by Junior Jones

On November 22, 1996, he suffered his first career loss and lost his title to American boxer Junior Jones, by a disqualification in round five. Barrera was knocked down in Round 5 by Jones, and was declared the loser by disqualification and not by knockout because Barrera's cornerman climbed onto the ring to stop the fight as Jones was finishing Barrera.
On April 18, 1997, he was given a chance to regain his title, facing Jones in a rematch in Las Vegas. Barrera was defeated by a unanimous decision that fans thought was controversial, but retired from boxing nonetheless regardless of the opinions of his die-hard fans.

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 bantamweight 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 César 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 I

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 by first-round knockout. In his next bout, he defeated José Luis Valbuena by twelve round unanimous decision. On December 1, 2000, he scored a sixth-round knockout over former world champion Jesús 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 hit Barrera with his trademark lefts 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 12th 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, Barrera 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 Sánchez 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 60th career fight on 12 April 2003, defeating former WBC title holder Kevin Kelley by knockout in round four.

Barrera vs. Pacquiao I

On November 16, 2003, Barrera was defeated by Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in the eleventh round when Barerra's corner threw in the towel, earning Pacquiao his third world championship in third weight division.
On June 19, 2004, Barrera defeated former WBA bantamweight title holder Paulie Ayala in Los Angeles by a tenth-round knockout.

Super featherweight

Barrera vs. Morales III

On November 27, 2004, Barrera fought Morales for the third time and became a three-division world champion by defeating Morales in a majority decision to capture the WBC super featherweight title.
On April 9, 2005, Barrera retained the title with a second-round knockout against future champion Mzonke Fana in El Paso, Texas, this win also marked Barrera's 60th career win.
On September 17 of the same year, he unified his WBC super featherweight title with the IBF title by defeating the IBF title holder Robbie Peden by a twelve-round unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

Barrera vs. Juárez

On May 20, 2006, Barrera defended his title against American boxer Rocky Juárez with what was announced immediately after the fight as a twelve-round draw, which the judges scored 115–113, 113–115 and 114–114. However, tabulation errors were found in the judges' scorecards, leading to a final score of 115–114, 114–115 and 115–114, a split decision in favor of Barerra. He fought Juárez in a rematch bout on September 16, this time Barrera won by a unanimous decision with scores of.

Barrera vs. Márquez

On March 17, 2007 Barrera lost his WBC super featherweight title to fellow Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Márquez by unanimous, but controversial decision. Even without counting the clear knockdown of Marquez, HBO had the fight in favor of Barrera. Understandably, Barrera claimed that the judges and referee were wrong, because he knocked down Márquez in the seventh round and the referee ruled it a slip.

Barrera vs. Pacquiao II

Barrera fought Pacquiao in a rematch bout for the WBC International super featherweight title on October 6, 2007 in Las Vegas. Barrera was defeated by a unanimous decision with scores of 118–109, 118–109, 115–112. After the match, Barrera expressed his desire to retire from boxing, however no official confirmation had been given. On February 13, 2008, Barrera announced to the media that he would fight the winner of the Márquez vs. Pacquiao bout on March 15. The winner of this turned out to be Pacquiao, in a highly disputed split decision. However, Pacquiao's move to the lightweight division and subsequent capture of the WBC lightweight title ensured that a third fight between the two would not happen.

Lightweight

Marco Antonio Barrera, at 35, ended his brief retirement and signed a five-year contract on August 26, 2008 with promoter Don King. He moved up to the lightweight division, his goal to become the first Mexican ever to win a title in 4 different weight divisions.
On November 7, 2008, Barrera marked his return to the ring, in Chengdu, China, by knocking out Sammy Ventura in his first bout in the lightweight division.

Barrera vs. Khan

It was announced on January 15, 2009 that Barrera would return to the ring against British boxer Amir Khan. Even with Barrera getting on in years, this was seen to be the biggest test of the young Briton's career thus far. Frank Warren promoted the fight, which took place on March 14, 2009 at the MEN Arena.
Barrera lost the bout by a fifth-round technical decision. In the first round, the two fighters clashed heads, resulting in a deep gash above Barrera's forehead, which bled throughout the bout. Ringside doctors stopped the fight at the beginning of the fifth round due to the severity of the cut. The judges scored the fight 50–45, 50–45 and 50–44 for Khan at the point of stoppage and he was declared the winner by technical decision. However, there was some controversy over the time of the stoppage, as Barrera had sustained the cut during the first round and that it would be constantly examined before the referee officially stopped the fight in the fifth round.
On March 26, 2009 as a result of the controversial stoppage timing, Barrera's promoter, Don King, filed a protest with the British Boxing Board of Control, WBA and WBO on behalf of Barrera, claiming the accidental clash of heads should have resulted in the fight being ruled a no-contest. Under the rules governing the bout, had the fight been stopped prior to the end of the fourth round due to the accidental headbutt, the official ruling would have been no contest, requiring an immediate rematch. Referee Dave Parris, however, waited until midway through the fourth round before asking the ringside physician to inspect the wound.
Before this fight, Barrera had fought Freudis Rojas on January 31, 2009 in Zapopan, Jalisco. Rojas was disqualified for a headbutt which left Barrera with a bad cut over his left eye. The cut could have jeopardized Barrera's scheduled bout against Khan. Despite this injury, he recovered in time for his bout with Khan and the fight went ahead regardless.

Comeback

After the loss, Barrera took a period of inactivity. The former three time world champion fought on June 26, 2010 against Adailton de Jesus of Brazil. The 10 round bout took place at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, United States. The match was an undercard of the Latin Fury 15 event, which featured Julio César Chávez Jr. vs. John Duddy. Barrera dominated De Jesus for 10 rounds, winning via decision. On February 12, 2011, he fought Jose Arias of the Dominican Republic and scored a TKO in the second round; this was to be Barrera's final fight.

Outside of boxing

Barrera's fights were promoted by Oscar De La Hoya under the organization of Golden Boy Promotions. He trained at De La Hoya's training facility in Big Bear, California.
Since January 2009, Barrera has been a commentator for ESPN Deportes' weekly boxing show Golpe a Golpe which airs live on Friday nights on the network. Barrera's co-host is SportsCenter anchor Jorge Eduardo Sanchez. Golpe a Golpe is the lead-in show to ESPN Deportes' popular Viernes de Combates boxing series and is the first ESPN Deportes show dedicated solely to boxing.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
75Win67–7 Jose AriasTKO2, 2:29Feb 12, 2011 Coliseo Olímpico Universidad, Guadalajara, Mexico
74Win66–7 Adailton de JesusUD10Jun 26, 2010 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
73Loss65–7 Amir Khan5, 2:36Mar 14, 2009 MEN Arena, Manchester, EnglandFor WBA International and vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight titles;
Unanimous TD after Barrera was cut from an accidental head clash
72Win65–6 Freudis RojasDQ3, 2:52Jan 31, 2009 Auditorio Telmex, Zapopan, MexicoRojas disqualified for an intentional headbutt
71Win64–6 Sammy VenturaTKO4, 1:01Nov 7, 2008 Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China
70Loss63–6 Manny PacquiaoUD12Oct 6, 2007 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBC International super featherweight title
69Loss63–5 Juan Manuel MárquezUD12Mar 17, 2007 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC super featherweight title
68Win63–4 Rocky JuarezUD12Sep 16, 2006 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
67Win62–4 Rocky JuarezSD12May 20, 2006 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
66Win61–4 Robbie PedenUD12Sep 17, 2005 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title;
Won IBF super featherweight title
65Win60–4 Mzonke FanaKO2, 1:48Apr 9, 2005 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
64Win59–4 Érik MoralesMD12Nov 27, 2004 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC super featherweight title
63Win58–4 Paulie AyalaTKO10, 2:34Jun 19, 2004 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.
62Loss57–4 Manny PacquiaoTKO11, 2:56Nov 15, 2003 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Lost The Ring featherweight title
61Win57–3 Kevin KelleyTKO4, 1:32Apr 12, 2003 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained The Ring featherweight title
60Win56–3 Johnny TapiaUD12Nov 2, 2002 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained The Ring featherweight title
59Win55–3 Érik MoralesUD12Jun 22, 2002 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant The Ring featherweight title
58Win54–3 Enrique SánchezRTD6, 3:00Sep 8, 2001 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
57Win53–3 Naseem HamedUD12Apr 7, 2001 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant IBO featherweight title
56Win52–3 Jesus SaludRTD6, 3:00Dec 1, 2000 The Venetian Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
55Win51–3 Jose Luis ValbuenaUD12Sep 9, 2000 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
54Win50–3 Luiz FreitasKO1, 1:27Jun 17, 2000 Arena México, Mexico City, MexicoRetained WBO super bantamweight title
53Loss49–3 Érik Morales12Feb 19, 2000 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBO super bantamweight title;
For WBC super bantamweight title
5249–2 Cesar NajeraTKO4, 0:36Dec 18, 1999 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Originally a TKO win for Barrera, later ruled an NC after Najera's fight record could not be confirmed
51Win49–2 Pastor Humberto MaurinUD12Aug 7, 1999 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
50Win48–2 Paul LloydRTD1, 3:00Apr 3, 1999 Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained WBO super bantamweight title
49Win47–2 Richie Wenton3, 3:00Oct 31, 1998 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant WBO super bantamweight title
48Win46–2 Pedro Javier TorresTKO4, 1:15Sep 26, 1998 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
47Win45–2 Geronimo CardozKO1, 2:59May 16, 1998 Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46Win44–2 Angel RosarioTKO5, 2:40Feb 21, 1998 Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
45Loss43–2 Junior JonesUD12Apr 18, 1997 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.For WBO super bantamweight title
44Loss43–1 Junior JonesDQ5, 2:59Nov 22, 1996 Ice Palace, Tampa, Florida, U.S.Lost WBO super bantamweight title
43Win43–0 Jesse MaganaTKO10, 1:56Sep 14, 1996 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
42Win42–0 Orlando FernandezTKO7, 1:03Jul 14, 1996 Mammoth Events Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
41Win41–0 Jesse BenavidesKO3, 1:15May 4, 1996 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
40Win40–0 Kennedy McKinneyTKO12, 2:05Feb 3, 1996 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
39Win39–0 Eddie CroftTKO7, 1:38Nov 4, 1995 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
38Win38–0 Agapito SánchezUD12Aug 22, 1995 Civic Center, South Padre Island, Texas, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
37Win37–0 Maui DiazTKO1, 2:50Jul 15, 1995 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
36Win36–0 Frank ToledoTKO2, 1:55Jun 2, 1995 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBO super bantamweight title
35Win35–0 Daniel JiménezUD12Mar 31, 1995 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.Won WBO super bantamweight title
34Win34–0 Eddie CookTKO8, 2:31Dec 3, 1994 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA Penta-Continental super bantamweight title
33Win33–0 Jesus SarabiaTKO3, 2:33Oct 22, 1994 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBA Penta-Continental super bantamweight title
32Win32–0 Israel Gonzalez BringasTKO8, 1:34Aug 15, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
31Win31–0 Miguel EspinozaKO6, 2:59Jun 24, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
30Win30–0 Carlos Gabriel Salazar10Apr 13, 1994 Estadio F.A.B., Buenos Aires, Argentina
29Win29–0 Justo ZunigaKO3, 1:54Mar 1, 1994 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
28Win28–0 Alejandro SanabriaKO1Nov 27, 1993 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
27Win27–0 Eduardo RamirezUD12Mar 28, 1993 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Won vacant NABF super flyweight title
26Win26–0 Elidio DominguezKO1, 0:45Jul 12, 1993 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
25Win25–0 Noe SantillanaUD12May 22, 1993 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Naucalpan, MexicoRetained Mexico super flyweight title
24Win24–0 Facundo RodriguezKO4, 1:20Apr 10, 1993 Auditorio Benito Juárez, Veracruz, MexicoRetained Mexico super flyweight title
23Win23–0 Ivan SalazarUD10Mar 1, 1993 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
22Win22–0 Angel RosarioTKO6 Dec 5, 1992 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico
21Win21–0 Esteban AyalaKO4, 1:20Nov 9, 1992 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained Mexico super flyweight title
20Win20–0 Abner BarajasPTS10Oct 2, 1992 Guadalajara, Mexico
19Win19–0 Miguel EspinozaKO6, 0:55Jul 11, 1992 Mexico City, MexicoRetained Mexico super flyweight title
18Win18–0 Jose Felix MontielTKO2, 0:42Jun 13, 1992 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, MexicoRetained Mexico super flyweight title
17Win17–0 Josefino Suarez12Apr 1, 1992 Mexico City, MexicoWon vacant Mexico super flyweight title
16Win16–0 Miguel PinaKO1 0:57Dec 7, 1991 Mexico City, Mexico
15Win15–0 Javier Diaz7 Nov 2, 1991 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, MexicoDiaz disqualified for feigning injury after a foul
14Win14–0 Sergio AguilaTKO1, 0:32Aug 31, 1991 Mexico City, Mexico
13Win13–0 Jaime RojasTKO6Jun 29, 1991 Mexico City, Mexico
12Win12–0 Juan Facundo LopezTKO1, 2:45Apr 13, 1991 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
11Win11–0 Abel HinojosaTKO5Mar 9, 1991 Mexico City, Mexico
10Win10–0 Esteban RodriguezTKO4Feb 9, 1991 Mexico City, Mexico
9Win9–0 Ivan SalazarPTS8Dec 8, 1990 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
8Win8–0 Jose YanezTKO2 Oct 13, 1990 Mexico City, Mexico
7Win7–0 Pedro MartínezTKO2Oct 6, 1990 Mexico City, Mexico
6Win6–0 Sebastian AmicaTKO5Sep 14, 1990 Acapulco, Mexico
5Win5–0 Federico Lara3Aug 4, 1990 Mexico City, Mexico
4Win4–0 Oscar GranadosPTS4Jun 9, 1990 Mexico City, Mexico
3Win3–0 Ignacio Jacome4May 18, 1990 Salamanca, Mexico
2Win2–0 Federico LaraTKO3Dec 16, 1989 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Mexico
1Win1–0 David Felix2 Nov 22, 1989 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Mexico