I am old; or, 19/02/2000 seems a lifetime ago

[Datsue]

Twelve years ago yesterday, Marco Antonio Barrera went up against Erik Morales for the first time. I saw it live on SKY, sitting up with the only mate I could convince to stay up until dawn to watch two tiny Mexicans, smoking cheap plastic-ridden hash & drinking San Miguel, at the house of the woman whom I lodged with.

We sat there screaming our heads off as these two guys tore into each other, each round more violent than the last. My mate had a big thing for Morales, having seen him beat Wayne McCullough, while I was formerly a big Barrera fan who had serious misgivings about him after the losses to Jones & having seen Morales take Jones out, expected big things for him.

Enough words have been spilled about the fight, the decision, the career trajectories of these two, so I'm not going to bother to waste any more. But one of my most vivid boxing-related memories is, after twelve rounds that got my heart-rate going like cheap speed manufactured from sinus medication & starter fluid, my mate getting up to go (he had work at eight that morning; the fight finished about five) & lighting one last spliff as we waited for the decision. I was gabbling about how close the decision was going to be, a possible rematch, either of these guys fighting Naseem Hamed, & repeatedly saying "What. A. Fvcking. Fight. I dunno who won, I dunno who won", over & over.

"Who's worth the most money? Out the two?" my mate asked, shrugging into his jacket.

I thought a second.

"Well, it's Morales, right? Younger, unbeaten..."

"Yep. You watch. He'll get it now."

The cards were read out. He laughed, turned on his heel & fist-bumped me as he went out the door, shaking his head.

Still my favourite fight, ever. There have probably been better, I can list better. But it's my favourite.






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2BiK8DwBEw

[Goodnight, Irene]

I knew the bout was in February of 2000, so had a hunch when I clicked your thread this would be the subject.

Magnificent battle. Just amazing. Barrera won it. It DOES seem a lifetime ago, but I was turning 16 that year. Now I'll be 28 in two months.

Best bout of the decade, IMO. Better than Vazquez-Marquez III, better than Corrales-Castillo I.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Fantastic fight, the decision was fine. That was Lampleys first big night of influencing the world. Hilarious that anyone thinks that was a robbery.

[Datsue]

Fantastic fight, the decision was fine. That was Lampleys first big night of influencing the world. Hilarious that anyone thinks that was a robbery.

Oh aye. I was watching on SKY in the UK, & having re-watched the fight many many times over the years, with hindsight there's certainly a large amount of "Morales is the guy on the way up, but this is a close fight, WTF is happening?" from the commentators, which translated into them pouring out pro-underdog spiel. Much like any TV hack, when things deviated from the script then the commentators immediately started getting confused about what was happening in front of them, & at the time both me & my mate were definitely influenced by that.

My intention was not to sully the fight by bitching about the decision; rather that as it's one of those fights brought up whenever dodgy decisions are discussed then I felt I had to drop in our initial reactions at the time (though you're right, I should've mentioned that our opinions were coloured by the commentary). My mate spoke a truth about boxing decisions in general, which is why I mentioned it. I should've mentioned that I no longer hold to his view on this particular fight.

It is nice to know that TV commentators read from the same script worldwide.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I wasn't pointing at you and there is nothing wrong with having Barrera winning the fight, especially with the BS knockdown call in the last round. I've just read about a million people call it a robbery and some of their cards were 1pt and none more than 3. In a fight that action packed there are swing rounds everywhere, virtually impossible to score with the kind of conviction that people bark out with.

Barrera landed the harder stuff, no doubt about that. But Erik landed more. I thought it was as close as it gets, Morales clearly won the second fight and Marco closely, but clearly won the third.

[klompton]

Barrera won all three IMO.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

That's insane, the second fight was the easiest to score and the most dominant victory of the series. Lamps worked overtime there.

[gilgamesh]

I agree Saad I thought Morales outboxed Barrera throughout the majority of the fight in the 2nd bout. Particularly in the early going, Barrera came on in the 2nd half and won several of those rounds, but I thought Morales deserved that one for sure. I have the 3 fight series 1-1-1. I thought Barrera deserved the decision the 1st time, Morales the 2nd time, 3rd a draw. One of my all time favorite fights also!!! And one of the great reasons for my Love of Erik Morales. I love the moment in the 10th round I believe it is, when Barrera is pressuring Morales on the ropes and Morales after taking punishment for a good few seconds just gets fed-up and has a flurry where he throws about 5 or 6 right hands in a row. No set up, just right hand after right hand and at least 3 or 4 of them land. Both tremendous fighters who I respect greatly, but I always had a fondness for Morales a little more. For the record though I'd cheer for Barrera too if he were fighting anyone but Morales.

[Giancarlo]

It DOES seem a lifetime ago, but I was turning 16 that year. Now I'll be 28 in two months.

You reckon this could be the year you get your first real girlfriend, GI?

Be awesome eh?

And, before you know it, you'll be thinking of leaving home and striking out in the big old world.

Exciting times, young man, exciting times.

[Goodnight, Irene]

To me, its one of those bouts which BORDERS on a robbery.

[Bricks]

It DOES seem a lifetime ago, but I was turning 16 that year. Now I'll be 28 in two months.

You reckon this could be the year you get your first real girlfriend, GI?

Be awesome eh?

And, before you know it, you'll be thinking of leaving home and striking out in the big old world.

Exciting times, young man, exciting times.

[I Feel Fine]

In my very humble opinion, and no offense to those who think differently, Morales-Barrera > Corrales-Castillo. Morales and Barrera is the best fight of the century so far, in my eyes (assuming we are starting in 2000 and not in 2001, but I digress.)

I thought Barrera legitimately won the trilogy, but I would swap the winners in fight I and fight II.

As for El Terrible, he is still going quite strong and he remains probably my favorite current fighter. He is an inspiration. Barrera wasn't too bad either.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I totally agree that it was better than Castillo/Corrales. Part of that is the sickening mouthpiece debacle. But I'd vote for Izzy/Rafa 3 as the greatest fight of the decade by a hair over MAB/Morales.

[Goodnight, Irene]

I totally agree that it was better than Castillo/Corrales. Part of that is the sickening mouthpiece debacle. But I'd vote for Izzy/Rafa 3 as the greatest fight of the decade by a hair over MAB/Morales.

I have it like this for the decade...

1. Morales-Barrera I
2. Vazquez-Marquez III
3. Corrales-Castillo I

Vazquez-Marquez III was a fucken sensation, but you almost never see it listed above Corrales-Castillo I. That aint right, IMO.

[Rocky Balboa]

Morales struggled desperately to make 122lbs!