This Day in Boxing History: Morales vs. Barrera I

This Day in Boxing History: Morales vs. Barrera I

On February 19, 2000, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Marco Antonio “Baby‑Faced Assassin” Barrera met in a highly anticipated super bantamweight unification bout for the WBC and WBO titles. The fight was televised on HBO and immediately recognized as one of the most intense and memorable matchups of its era.

Background & Stakes

Morales entered the fight undefeated, defending his WBC super bantamweight crown, while Barrera was the reigning WBO super bantamweight champion, making this a rare title unification between two elite Mexican fighters. The bout was billed as “Campeón vs. Campeón” and generated significant interest in the boxing world, contributing to what would become one of the sport’s most celebrated trilogies.

Non‑Stop Action

From the opening bell, Morales and Barrera engaged in relentless, toe‑to‑toe fighting, combining skillful boxing with fierce aggression. Barrera started aggressively, landing combinations and body shots, forcing Morales to engage at close range.

The fifth round stood out as one of the most thrilling of the year; both fighters traded heavy combinations in a back‑and‑forth exchange that showcased the intensity and pace of the matchup. That round would later be highlighted as one of the year’s best by observers.

As the fight progressed, both men absorbed significant punishment and continued answering each other’s attacks throughout the distance. In the twelfth round, Barrera appeared to stagger Morales with a left hook, and Morales slipped to the canvas. Referee Mitch Halpern ruled it a knockdown, though some observers argued it was a slip.

Decision & Controversy

After 12 brutal rounds, the judges returned a split decision verdict in favor of Morales: 115–112, 114–113, and 113–114. The outcome was met with debate. Many ringside observers believed Barrera’s punching power and effective aggression had earned him the edge, and some felt the final round knockdown call could have swung decisions. The Ring named it Fight of the Year for 2000 and the competitive encounter set up a rivalry that would define both careers.

The Rematch

The rematch came on June 22, 2002, again at Mandalay Bay but this time at featherweight. Barrera won a unanimous decision, 115-113 on all three scorecards. The adjustments made by Barrera were evident. Rather than engaging in prolonged exchanges, Barrera boxed with more restraint, using lateral movement and a steadier jab to control distance. Morales had success in spots, particularly when he forced exchanges, but the tactical shift favored Barrera across the middle rounds. The series was now even at one fight apiece (or at least on paper).

Morales vs Barrera III

Their third meeting took place on November 27, 2004, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, contested at super featherweight. Official records confirm Barrera won a majority decision, with scores of 115-113 (2x) and one card even at 114-114. The third bout was more measured than the first, shaped by experience and accumulated rounds. Barrera’s ring generalship and selective combination punching carried key stretches, while Morales pressed for exchanges that were less frequent than back in 2000. With that win, Barrera secured the trilogy two fights to one (again, at least on paper).

Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera

Morales and Barrera were two top pound-for-pound fighters, sharing 36 completed rounds of sustained, high-level competition. Both would go on to win titles in multiple weight classes. Barrera was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame; Morales, also a Hall-of-Famer, became the first Mexican-born fighter to win world titles in four divisions.

February 19 marks the night the rivalry began; two elite fighters testing each other over a grueling, 12 round, back-and-forth war. That bout established a standard that still holds up to this day.

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