Mexican · Guadalajara, Mexico · Born 17 January 1974Marco Antonio Barrera is a Mexican boxer who won world titles in three weight divisions and is best remembered for his classic trilogy against Erik Morales.
Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia was born on 17 January 1974 in Mexico City, Mexico, into a comparatively affluent family; his businessman father hoped Marco would eventually take over the family enterprise. He compiled an outstanding amateur record of 104 wins against just four losses, becoming a five-time Mexican national champion, before turning professional at just 15 in November 1989 with a second-round knockout win. Barrera won his first 43 professional fights, capturing the WBO super bantamweight title in 1995 by defeating Daniel Jiménez, and went on to become a three-weight world champion, holding titles at super bantamweight, featherweight, and super featherweight between 1995 and 2007. Nicknamed the "Baby-Faced Assassin," he handed Prince Naseem Hamed the first defeat of his career in 2001, ending the Briton's unbeaten record decisively. Barrera's celebrated trilogy against fellow Mexican legend Erik Morales became one of the defining rivalries in modern boxing history, alongside two additional fights against Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao, one of which resulted in a stoppage loss in 2003. Barrera retired in 2011 with a professional record of 67 wins and seven losses, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017. He was ranked 43rd on ESPN's list of the 50 greatest boxers of all time, remembered as one of the finest Mexican fighters of his generation.
Trilogy rivalry with Érik Morales; three-division world champion
How They Played
Technical boxer-puncher with exceptional ring IQ and durability
Lasting Impact
One of Mexico's greatest boxers and key figure in boxing's golden era
Career Honours
- International Boxing Hall of Fame 2017
- The Ring Fight of the Year 2000, 2004
Mexican Athletes