BARRERA STRIPS MORALES OF TITLE MAJORITY DECISION IN BRUTAL BOUT.

Byline: Robert Morales Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS - No one really thought the third fight between Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales could be as good as their first, but it was.

Fighting toe-to-toe for just about every minute of every round, the two Mexican fighters showed everyone in the boxing world what courage is all about.

At the end of one of the most vicious fights in recent memory, Barrera defeated Morales by majority decision to win Morales' WBC super featherweight title Saturday at the MGM Grand. Barrera has won two of the three fights against Morales.

One judge had it even, 114-114. But Barrera won on the other two scorecards by scores of 115-114 and 115-113.

``Even though he was stronger, I was faster,'' Barrera said. ``So I had to stay close to him. I was smaller, but I didn't let him prevail. This is the most rewarding fight of my career.''

Barrera is 59-4. Morales is 47-2.

This was Barrera's first fight at 130 pounds. Morales was defending his WBC belt for the third time. Afterward, Barrera's father, Jorge, walked over to congratulate Morales, but Morales threw water in his face.

After a decent first round, the fighters picked up the pace in the second. Morales landed the more powerful punches and seemed to stun Barrera with a three-punch combination late. Morales' nose was bloodied.

Morales also appeared to have the upper hand in the third round as he staggered Barrera with a vicious left uppercut early. However, Barrera was not running away from anything as both fighters were having no problem going toe-to-toe.

Barrera had a better time of it in the fourth round. He landed a right-left combination about halfway through, but Morales came back with a nice right cross. Barrera, however, seemed to land more telling blows over the final minute of the round.

Barrera took a deep breath as he walked back to his corner. Then he came back in the fifth and at one point landed three consecutive left hooks after being backed into the ropes by Morales, who appeared just a bit weary at round's end.

Barrera had a huge sixth round. He landed a multitude of power shots to the head of Morales, who had blood across his face that was coming from his nose, and the beginnings of a blackened and puffy right eye. Morales missed many of his punches, and Barrera was in control.

Morales, however, came back strongly in the seventh. He staggered Barrera with a big right hand in the last 30 seconds.

Morales also looked good in the eighth. He landed a three-punch combination early, then landed a couple of hard body shots. Morales came through with a hard right hand to the head with 35 seconds left, but Barrera responded with his own right to the head of Morales.

Although Barrera did appear to win the ninth round, he also got dirty. He was warned by referee Kenny Bayless after hitting Morales in the back of the head, then he landed a right hand to the head of Morales after the bell. Bayless did not deduct a point from Barrera, who talked a bit of trash afterward.

Barrera also had the upper hand in the 10th. About midway through, he caught Morales with a stinging left-right combination to the head.

The 11th round was one for the books. Whereas in their first fight the fifth round was incredible, this was its equal. Morales had things his way over the first two minutes as these two gutsy fighters went at each other without a second's rest. Barrera, however, put some leather on the face of Morales over the last minute, making it perhaps the most difficult round to score.

At the end of the round, the crowd was in a frenzy.

The 12th round wasn't bad, either. Barrera was nailed by a big right hand right off the bat, stumbled backward and nearly went down. He regrouped, but Morales still appeared to win the round. Interestingly, with the fighters going chest-to-chest in the final seconds, the bell rang with seven seconds left.

It was not surprising as the noise in the arena was absolutely deafening.

Oscar Larios of Mexico easily retained his WBC super bantamweight belt with a lopsided decision over Nedal Hussein of Australia in what amounted to a boring semi-main event.

Larios, 28, won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110. He improved to 54-3-1 with the seventh successful defense of his title.

``I thought that I did very well tonight,'' Larios said. ``When the fight first started, he (Hussein) felt very strong, but I dictated the pace. I want to fight bigger and better fighters, but I don't know who yet.''

Robert Morales, [phone], Ext. 2213

robert.morales(at)sgvn.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Erik Morales, left, throws a uppercut at Marco Antonio Barrera in the second round of the WBC super featherweight title bout.

Joe Cavaretta/Associated Press

(2) Marco Antonio Barrera, right, and Erik Morales trade punches in the third round.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press