On This Day: Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales opened one of the deepest grudges in boxing history

[Ruthless-RKO]

“You can’t beat it – two ruthless, cold-eyed, dark-haired punchers, both respected champions who will give and sacrifice all to win. This 12-rounder possesses the key ingredients to produce a match as fiery and full of passion as any past all-Mexican showdown.”

In the build-up, Morales had claimed that he floored Barrera during a sparring session many years previously. The “Baby-Faced Assassin” said it was a slip and he had been knocked down “only in Erik’s dreams”. The hostility between the pair was evident even before the first bell, with no touching of gloves taking place until the final round.

Barrera won a lively opening session and also took the next stanza, his left-right-left hook combination proving particularly effective. Rounds three and four proved the calm before the storm, as from the fifth onwards it was all-out war.

While Morales was always busier throughout, the more explosive punches came from his rival. Barrera responded to a bombardment of overhand rights in the fifth by lashing back spectacularly and shaking Erik, leading to a deafening roar of appreciation from the raucous crowd.

Barrera fought in spurts in rounds six and seven, while a tiring Morales jolted out jabs and stiff rights. “El Terrible” found himself in trouble on the ropes in the eighth, with Barrera cracking left hooks into his foe’s ribs. BN commented, “How Morales, such a thin man, remained upright is testament to his incomprehensible toughness.”

The unbridled ferocity continued into the ninth as two hooks from Marco Antonio crashed against his adversary’s jaw. Incredibly, Morales fired back with a string of crushing rights that opened a gash on Barrera’s swollen left cheek.

The man from the Mexican capital walked through a powerful right-left from Morales in the 10th and had to suck up a lot of punishment until the final minute of the round, when a counter onslaught caused Erik’s legs to quiver. The bloodied and bruised Morales hit back with rights and uppercuts as the rivals exchanged blows.

Barrera’s inside work was hugely impressive in the 11th but Morales refused to give ground. A knockdown was wrongly called in the final session as Erik slipped to one knee while ducking a hook. Keen to redress the balance, Morales threw himself at Barrera and the pair went at it until the last bell.

Although Erik edged the fight on punches landed (319-299), there were constant swings in fortune, with both boxers getting tagged on numerous occasions. The general consensus at ringside was that Barrera had done enough to claim the verdict. But it was Morales who took the controversial split decision.

By Paul Wheeler

[handsofstone]

Excellent fight I personally had it a draw

[ElJefe]

Probably my favourite fight of all time. I had Barrera winning a close decision.

[elmersalsa]

Excellent fight I personally had it a draw

I also scored it a draw.

[elmersalsa]

It was a great fight. No doubt about it.

[Dancin' Dan]

One of the greatest fights of all time. It was real and ugly personally between them back then. Mexico City vs TJ. Barrera called him "an Indian" before they exchanged punches at the press conference. Gives me chills to think back. I trained for a time at Barreras family gym in Mexico City. Three story complex. Dried blood all over the ring. His dad and brother ran it and managed a bunch of fighters. Golden Promoted most of them. They both fought the very best and deserve so much respect. Not many fighters like them.

[elmersalsa]

Will Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr will come close to that fight of Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera I?

[elmersalsa]

Great Mexican Civil Wars in Boxing History:
Ruben Olivares vs Chucho Castillo I
Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera I
Carlos Zarate vs Alfonso Zamora
Lupe Pintor vs Carlos Zarate
Rafael Herrera vs Ruben Olivares I

Any others?

[handsofstone]

Great Mexican Civil Wars in Boxing History:
Ruben Olivares vs Chucho Castillo I
Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera I
Carlos Zarate vs Alfonso Zamora
Lupe Pintor vs Carlos Zarate
Rafael Herrera vs Ruben Olivares I

Any others?

Berchelt vs Vargas from a few weeks ago was a cracker

[elmersalsa]

How about the Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez trilogy? I have read that were classics.

I haven't seen the fight, but, it was a fight between an all time super bantamweight vs an all time great bantamweight. Rafa Marquez was a very underrated champion.

[Counter-puncher]

How about the Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez trilogy? I have read that were classics.

I haven't seen the fight, but, it was a fight between an all time super bantamweight vs an all time great bantamweight. Rafa Marquez was a very underrated champion.

dude, watch them all tonight. you can't be a boxing fan and go another day not having seen those fights

[orbtastic]

Do yourself a favour and watch the Vasquez/Larios fights too, supplementary fight against Gonzalez, it's a corker.

I'm not sure of Banke's parentage so not sure anyone would class him as Mexican but his 3 fights with Zaragoza were something.

[Counter-puncher]

Do yourself a favour and watch the Vasquez/Larios fights too, supplementary fight against Gonzalez, it's a corker.

I'm not sure of Banke's parentage so not sure anyone would class him as Mexican but his 3 fights with Zaragoza were something.

for some reason I had Banke down (in my head) as Hawaiian-Filipino, but, umm, i have absolutely no reason or evidence for that

[handsofstone]

How about the Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez trilogy? I have read that were classics.

I haven't seen the fight, but, it was a fight between an all time super bantamweight vs an all time great bantamweight. Rafa Marquez was a very underrated champion.

dude, watch them all tonight. you can't be a boxing fan and go another day not having seen those fights

If I was pushed i'd probably say Marquez/Vazquez is my favourite fight series of all time

[Cygnus475]

Will Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr will come close to that fight of Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera I?

Doubt it. Chavez is big and strong but doesnt jave his dads warrior spirit. Who knows, maybe he'll surprise us and give us a thrilling war.

[Counter-puncher]

How about the Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez trilogy? I have read that were classics.

I haven't seen the fight, but, it was a fight between an all time super bantamweight vs an all time great bantamweight. Rafa Marquez was a very underrated champion.

dude, watch them all tonight. you can't be a boxing fan and go another day not having seen those fights

If I was pushed i'd probably say Marquez/Vazquez is my favourite fight series of all time

yeah, its a big one, especially as (unusually) the last is the best of the lot (and if pushed I might call it my favourite ever)

[orbtastic]

You're overlooking the travesty that is the fourth fight?

[Counter-puncher]

You're overlooking the travesty that is the fourth fight?

Oh god, yes, I am. I'd literally excised it from my mind

[orbtastic]

Good move!

I was curious about Banke, listening to him speak he has that DLH/Garcia thing going on but he's got a bit of a slur so don't know. They kept calling him Banky, I thought it was pronounced "bank" but what do I know.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Morales went on my mount Rushmore that night and Barrera became a guy I respectfully cheered against. Definite 10 just behind Saad/Lopez 2, Pryor/arguello, Izzy/Rafa 3 & chacon/Limon 4 for the best fights I've seen in the last 40 years.

[elmersalsa]

Morales went on my mount Rushmore that night and Barrera became a guy I respectfully cheered against. Definite 10 just behind Saad/Lopez 2, Pryor/arguello, Izzy/Rafa 3 & chacon/Limon 4 for the best fights I've seen in the last 40 years.

Though Bobby Chacon was not Mexican, he had a thrilling series with Bazooka Limon. Their 4th fight was unbelievable. A brutal affair. Chacon was a Chicano, though. He was one of my favorite boxers.

[gilgamesh]

Will Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr will come close to that fight of Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera I?

I highly doubt it, but if it does I want to see to a rematch.

[gilgamesh]

Barrera vs Morales 1 is one of my all time favorite fights. Fights rarely ever reach that amazing level of intensity and excitement, but when they do it makes it all worthwhile.

[Ambling Alp II]

They did have a great rivalry. They didn't like each other and were so evenly matched. All three of their fights were fun to watch.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

You're overlooking the travesty that is the fourth fight?

Oh god, yes, I am. I'd literally excised it from my mind

It's fitting they ended tied. I actually had Rafa edging the third fight but that final round onslaught from Izzy made it impossible to complain. I'm always amazed when people confidently talk cards on fights like that and this when every round is a war.