Marco Antonio Barrera has claimed the WBC super-featherweight title with a
majority points win over old adversary Erik Morales at the MGM Grand Garden
Arena in Las Vegas.
Barrera, 30, prevailed by scores of 115-113 and 115-114 on two of the judges'
scorecards while the third had it as a draw at 114-114.
The win puts Barrera 2-1 ahead in his magnificent trilogy with fellow Mexican
legend Morales.
Many observers thought Morales was fortunate to shade their first meeting at
super-bantamweight on a split decision in February 2000, Ring magazine's fight
of the year.
Barrera gained revenge at featherweight with a unanimous points win in June
2002 but again the verdict was deemed controversial as this time Morales may
have been harshly done to.
Since that less ferocious encounter, Morales had won six out of six to claim
the WBC and IBF super-featherweight titles and was defending the former belt
here.
Barrera, meanwhile, had won three out of four, but they were against ageing
opponents and he suffered a damaging 11th-round loss Manny Pacquiao 12 months
ago.
That had prompted bookmakers to install Morales, 28, as a warm favourite, but
Barrera turned back the clock with an outstanding display to take his record to
59 wins against just four defeats.