Like Ali and Frazier, Barrera and Morales really dislike each other outside the boxing ring as much as they dislike each other inside it. This cannot be said about boxers involved in other famous fight trilogies: Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward, for example, are very good friends. Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran do not get along, but they feel a mutual professional respect. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier have both made attempts at becoming closer over the years.
Barrera and Morales follow the pattern quite well: during pre-fight public meetings, they can barely contain themselves from going at each other. In fact, they were involved in a fist fight during a press conference before their second bout, and Morales threw water at Barrera's father after their third bout was over.
This fight was set to a fast pace from round one on. By round four, the two boxers were sweating heavily, but they still managed to keep on punching. Round five was Ring Magazine's round of the year. For much of the round, Morales landed heavy punches, but, with ten seconds to go, he mistakenly thought that the round was over when he heard a sound, and he started turning towards his corner, then Barrera followed him and added a flush combination of shots that put Morales against the ropes, almost dropping him. By the round's end, Morales sported an injury on one of his eyes.
Rounds six to eleven followed the same pattern: one of the two boxers would begin the round by hurting the other, then the other would attack back, and by the end of the round, both fighters were trading power punches.
In round twelve, Barrera sent Morales to the canvas with a punch to the body. Morales' eye had changed into a purplish-dark colored injury. Both boxers were extremely exhausted but still throwing a large amount of punches when the final bell rang.
Morales was declared winner by a split decision, with scores of 115-112, 114-113 and 113-114.
Many who watched the fight, as well as many boxing magazine writers, felt Barrera was robbed of a win by the judges, therefore, claims for a rematched began almost as soon as the decision in favor of Morales was announced. The WBO refused to recognize Morales as champion, returning their belt, and championship recognition, to Barrera.
Most rounds in this fight were difficult to score, making it harder for observers to pick a winner. The fight was declared fight of the year by Ring Magazine.
This is often described as the most tactical fight of the three. Nevertheless, there was plenty of furious exchanges, but, with Barrera fighting a more technical fight, Morales looked like he was connecting with heavier punches. In round four, Barrera went to the floor from what many claimed was a body punch by Morales, but the fall was ruled a slip and not a knockdown. This would prove critical in the fight's outcome.
Morales and Barrera once again traded punches from round one to round twelve, with many furious exchanges. Barrera utilized his Jab more, with Morales connecting more power punches. Once again, their second fight was very difficult to score.
Barrera was declared the winner by unanimous decision, with scores of 116-112 and 115-113 (twice). Had the fall in round four been called a knockdown, the two 115-113 scores might have changed to 114-114 each, therefore, it would have been a majority draw (tie).
This time, most fans and observers felt it was Morales who had been robbed of a win by the judges. The WBC reciprocrated the WBO's actions after the first fight, by returning their belt and world championship recognition to Morales.
The third fight took place on November 27, 2004, once again at the MGM Grant in Las Vegas. It was another HBO Pay Per View event.
Barrera and Morales wore Yellow gloves, which is quite unusual in boxing. Once again, they fought to a furious pace from start to end. Each round was, once again, difficult to score. The two fighters gave each other as hard as they took.
After round eight, the fight seemed to be headed to be scored a tie. However, in round nine, Barrera punished Morales along the ropes, giving him a slight edge.
At the beginning of round ten, Morales caught Barrera with an uppercut that landed on Barrera's chin, and Barrera barely avoided going to the floor. Morales followed with an onslaught that lasted for about one minute, with Barrera firing back, but getting his head snapped back by almost every punch Morales landed. Then, towards the end of the round, Barrera turned things around and began hitting Morales hard, putting him in trouble.
Round eleven saw more of the see saw action the two boxers had made their fans become accostumed to.
Both boxers knew the fight, and the claim as to who was the better of the two boxers in the trilogy, was on the line before round twelve. Barrera tried to touch gloves with Morales as a salute after the last round began, but Morales refused. The two fighters began firing away almost immediately. Barrera had a cut on his eye. He was able, however, to hurt Morales once again towards the end of the round, and the fight ended with Morales pinned against the ropes, near a corner, as Barrera pounded away.
Both the fans watching the fight live and HBO's broadcasters awaited for the decision anxiously, and both fighters were carried on their trainers arms around the ring and cheered by their fans after the third fight was over.
Barrera was declared the wiinner and new WBC world Jr. Lightweight champion by a majority decision, with scores of 115-113, 115-114, and 114-114. The WBC did not take recognition away from Barrera.