Marco Antonio Barrera Takes Apart Prince Naseem Hamed

On April 7, 2001, Marco Antonio Barrera defeated Prince Naseem Hamed by unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Barrera handed Hamed his first professional defeat to claim the vacant IBO and lineal featherweight championships. The judges scored the bout 116-111 and 115-112 twice in Barrera's favor.

Hamed entered the ring as a 3-to-1 betting favorite with an undefeated 35-0 record. Barrera moved up four pounds from super bantamweight and relied on disciplined footwork, counterpunching, and an effective jab to neutralize Hamed's attacks. Despite a 12th-round point deduction from referee Joe Cortez for driving Hamed into a turnbuckle, Barrera comfortably secured the victory.