Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia (born January 17, 1974) is a Mexican former professional boxer. He has held multiple world titles in three weight classes, including the WBO super bantamweight title twice, the lineal and Ring magazine featherweight titles, as well as the WBC and IBF super featherweight titles. Barrera is ranked #43 on ESPN's list of "50 All-Time Greatest Boxers".

Amateur career

As an amateur, Barrera had a record of 104-4 and was a five-time Mexican national champion. Before losing his first amateur contest, Barrera had an undefeated record of 56-0.

Super flyweight

Barrera made his professional debut at 15 when he defeated Leonilo Embuestro Jr. of Philippines by a knockout in round two on November 22, 1989. The victory marked the begining of a 43 fight win streak.

In 1990, Barrera had seven fights, including his first rise in quality opposition, when he defeated veteran Ivan Salazar, by a decision in eight rounds. In 1991, he had seven more fights, defeating boxers Abel Hinojosa, Javier Diaz and others.

Barrera began 1992 by winning his first professional title, defeating Justino Suarez by a decision in twelve rounds to win the Mexican super flyweight championship. He retained the title three times before the end of the year which helped improve his ranking in the super flyweight division. He defeated Abner Barajas by a decsion in ten rounds, and Angel Rosario by a knockout in six rounds.

In 1993, Barrera had six bouts, winning each. He defeated Salazar in a rematch and retained his title against Noe Santillana and among others.

By 1994, Barrera was attending University to become a lawyer and also continued his boxing career. On April 13, he defeated future champion Carlos Salazar by a ten round decision in Argentina. He also defeated former world champion Eddie Cook before the end of the year.

Super bantamweight

First world title

Barrera began 1995 by fighting for a world title. On March 31, he became the WBO super bantamweight champion by defeating Puerto Rican boxer Daniel Cobrita Jimenez by a decision in twelve rounds at Anaheim, California. By this time, many boxing journalist were calling Barrera "Mexico's next Julio Cesar Chavez."

He made four defenses before the year was over. On June 2, 1995, he defeated future champion Frank Toledo via second round knockout. Barrera knocked Toledo down twice before the fight was stopped.

On July 15, 1995, Barrera scored a first round knockout win over Maui Diaz (27-1). In his next bout, he won a twelve round unanimous decision over future champion Agapito Sanchez.

On February 6, 1996, he fought on the first installment of HBO Boxing's spin-off series "HBO Boxing After Dark." In one of the fights of the year, Barrera stopped Kennedy McKinney in 12 rounds, knocking him down five times whilst suffereing one knockdown himself.

After the McKinney fight, he defeated former WBO champion Jesse Benavides by third round knockout. On July 14, 1996, he defeated another former champion, Orlando Fernandez, by seventh round TKO.