BOXING: Morales/Barrera III - Fight of the Year? By Toby Robinson (From Warrington Guardian)

BOXING: Morales/Barrera III - Fight of the Year? By Toby Robinson

Unless something amazing happens in Klitschko-Williams, this will go down as the fight of 2004.

Boxing fans traditionally look at eras and fighters, for me, when I look back at two of the best I've watched live-ish, it's Barrera and Morales.

And their three fight series has been awesome.

It's very rare that sequels match up to a brilliant original.

Four years ago, Morales won a controversial spilt decision in their first meeting at super bantamweight, probably the best fight I have ever seen - a true tear-up.

Two years later, the rematch took place at featherweight and this time Barrera clamed an equally controversial unanimous decision.

Last Saturday saw the third instalment between the two Mexican legends, this time for Morales' WBC super feather crown.

Many wrote off Barrera, 30, after a TKO11 loss to Manny Pacquiao in November 2003 and despite a winning comeback, Morales, 28, was a big favourite and seen as the man very much in form.

Although not as fierce as the first, this third meeting proved better than the second technical battle, probably best described as a mix between the two.

Both traded rounds in the first four before Barrera took control in the fifth and sixth.

Morales hit back to take seven and eight as the established 130 pound fighter appeared to be making that fact tell.

But in another twist, Barrera regained the initiative to rock Morales in 9 and 10 before both went to war in the final two.

Barrera claimed a deserved majority decision, 115-113 on one card, 115-114 on the second and a 114-114 draw on the third.

Now a three weight world champion, Barrera put to rest any doubts over his legendary status.

I wonder what's next for both of them?