"Juan Manuel Marquez was the best of our era" by Marco Antonio Barrera

Barrera was always bitter about Marquez. Same with Morales. I know Marquez felt Barrera didn’t give him any credit after their fight and during their careers so it’s nice to see Barrera admit this.

Marquez is a very friendly guy. Any fan who’s met him will tell you this. He’s always got time to talk to his fans and he’s talkative and polite. I’ve seen him many times, in his gym, behind closed doors, at HOF events etc; he’s always nice and in a good mood.

 

Marquez definitely has the best case for being the greatest out of Barrera, Morales, and him. The ko of Pacquiao at 147 is absurd.

 

Its a huge testament to the tenacity and dedication of Marquez that he was able to keep fighting and eventually surpass Barrera and Morales after being in their shadows for so long. That's why I consider Marquez one of the most compelling fighters since the turn of the century

The three amigos were all roughly the same age, but Marquez had had many of his best wins when Morales and Barrera were shells of their former selves. It reminds me of Bernard Hopkins outlasting RJJ and James Toney

 

I don’t really mind who gets ranked number 1 out of the three Mexican greats of the ‘90s/2000s - I’m just happy I got to watch all three of them as they were all great fighters.

The only disappointment is that we didn’t get Morales-Marquez to complete the three-Mexicans-and-a-Filipino round robin.

 

Marquez was superb. And when you consider that he got the wrong end of a lot of decisions it does make a case that he was among the best

 

In my opinion Marquez is 3-0-1 vs Pacquiao.

As much as I love Marquez though Barrera was a bit past his best when he fought Marquez.

 

JMM has had an epic boxing career and in my opinion he has a good case in being considered the best out of the 3 Mexicans (JMM, Barrera, Morales). Great fighter.

 

I consider Barrera to be the greatest of the three, but can see Marquez being considered also. I felt Barrera won his fight with Marquez, and the referee cost Barrera a point by not calling the clear knockdown.

 

Agree JMM was robbed several times and is for sure the best of the 3.

 

I’d probably rate him no. 1 on results in theory but he is a suspect drug cheat, so where that leaves him, I cannot honestly say - as with Holyfield among the great Heavies.

 

Honestly, I think that interpretation is being overly generous to Barrera. It was a stupid thing he did to run across and punch Marquez when he was clearly down.

Even had the point deduction not occurred, I had Marquez in front but it undoubtedly would have made it closer. That went from a potential 10-8 round to Barrera to a 10-8 to Marquez because of Barrera’s rush of blood to the head.

 

With great fights like Barrera-Morales 1 and 3, Morales-Pacquiao 1 and Pacquiao-Marquez 1 and 4, it’s easy to forget what a top fight Marquez-Barrera was.

Those four fighters - Barrera, Morales, Marquez and Pacquiao - gave us arguably the best series of fights and rivalries since the Fab Four in the 1980s.

 

Yes, an underrated classic for sure. Beautiful boxing and fighting. I was lucky to have attended it.