Modest Marco ruins Hamed's record

Barrera shows the power that destroyed Paul Lloyd

Marco Antonio Barrera has adulation aplenty in his Mexican homeland, but as BBC Sport Online's Stephen Wood explains, his defeat of Naseem Hamed will take that a notch higher.

Marco Antonio Barrera knew that defeat of Naseem Hamed would cement his reputation not only as a great boxer, but as a great Mexican.

In the end, Barrera had an easy time of it with the Englishman, and his future as one of boxing's stars seems secure.

Two years ago, as he made a stunning British debut at the Royal Albert Hall by stopping Paul Lloyd after just one round, Barrera paraded around with "Naz is Next" enscribed in his shorts.

Bitter end

After two disappointing defeats to Junior "Poison" Jones, Barrera was anxious to re-establish himself as the major threat to Hamed's apparent invincibility.

Jones had brought Barrera's reign as World Boxing Organisation super-bantamweight champion - and a run of 43 consecutive victories - to a bitter end.

Every fighter has a rival with the style to give him real trouble. With Ali it was Ken Norton, with Julio Cesar Chavez it was Frankie Randall and with Tyson it was Holyfield.

In 1996, Barrera just could not shake off Jones, as the American knocked Barrera down before winning by disqualification.

Alas, there was more trouble for Barrera in the form of Erik Morales 12 months ago.

A controversial points defeat left Barrera with a 52-3 record and Hamed seemed further away than ever.

Barrera is an icon in his homeland

Salvation came from the Prince himself, who, after watching the Morales clash ringside, agreed with the general consensus that Barrera had been "robbed" of the WBC super-bantamweight title and the WBO junior featherweight crown.

"He beat Morales convincingly," said Hamed. "Everyone knows that - that's why I'm fighting Barrera not Morales."

Barrera kept his side of the bargain by defeating Luiz Freitas Jose Luis Valbuena last year, ensuring the Hamed dream, spelt out to the British public so clearly at the Royal Albert Hall, was definitely next.

His words coming into the Hamed fight hint at an intensity that the Sheffield man can now testify to.

"This is my chance to make up for what happened against Morales," said Barrera.

"This fight will be another good fight - but the ending will be different.

First defeat

"I know what the reaction will be back home when I win. Hamed has a record everyfighter wants - but I am ready to inflict his first defeat."

"I've only been knocked down twice in my career and it is not going to happen again."

Naseem Hamed failed to make the total three and is destined to pay a heavy price.