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Marco Antonio Barrera

Marco Antonio Barrera is considered to be one of the best fighters of his era, and one of the best Mexican boxers in history. He is a three weight division champion, and has beat his share of great opponents. Barrera was also a five-time Mexican National Champion. Barrera turned pro at the young age of 15, and that same year had his first fight in Mexico City, Mexico. He quickly moved up the ranks and began boxing in the United States. In February 2000, after 12 years of competition in the ring, a 49-2 Barrera faced an undefeated Erik Morales losing a 12 round spilt decision. After a host of fights, Barrera worked hard to improve and master every area in his repertoire of boxing skills. The stage was then set for Morales-Barrera 2. Fans had been eagerly waiting for the two to fight again after their thrilling battle in 2000. Barrera won the rematch by slim margins and was crowned the new WBC Featherweight Champion of the world on June 22nd, 2002. Barrera went on to beat Johnny Tapia and Kevin Kelley, before fighting the legendary Manny Pacquiao. In 2004, Barrera faced and beat Paulie Ayala, before signing to fight Erik Morales in a rubber match. Barrera surprised the boxing world when the two finally met for the third time, by pounding out a clear-cut victory and captured the WBC Super Featherweight Title. “The Baby Faced Assassin” would go on to fight six more times in the next three years, all which were world title bouts. Marco Antonio Barrera’s achievements, accomplishments, and determination make him a true WBC Legend of Boxing.

Erik Morales

Legend has it that Erik Morales was born in a boxing gym. His father Jose was a professional fighter himself. Morales started his love for boxing early in his life. He quickly excelled in the amateur ranks and soon after turned pro. After only four years of fighting professionally he earned a title shot against Daniel Zaragoza for the WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship Title and claimed victory, stopping the champion in 11 rounds. Morales went on to beat Junior Jones and former Olympic Games Medalist Wayne McCullough. On February 19th, 2000, Morales would begin one of boxing's most brutal and exciting rivalries against Marco Antonio Barrera. The fight proved to be a great one with Morales winning a 12 round split decision. The Barrera-Morales rematch was set for June 2002. Morales would suffer his first defeat in 42 fights, however there was a controversial ending with many fans believing Morales was the victor. Morales went on to win titles against Jesus Chavez and Carlos Alberto Hernandez before facing Barrera in a rubber match. Erik’s next big fight was considered a fan's dream, as both Morales and Manny Pacquiao were crowd pleasers with their "all-out" styles and both coming off a potential 2004 "Fight of the Year." Morales beat the Pac-Man by scores of 115-113. Morales would go on to fight Manny Pacquiao two more times. Erik “El Terrible” Morales, with his great skill and furious heart, will always be a WBC Legend of Boxing.

Laila Ali

The youngest daughter of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, Laila “She Bee Stingin' Ali graduated with a business degree from Santa Monica College but her love and undeniable skill in boxing proved strong. On December 8th, 1999, Ali knocked out April Fowler in the first round of her professional debut. She racked up eight wins in a row and on June 8, 2001, Ali met Jackie Frazier-Lydeand, the daughter of boxing great Joe Frazier. The fight was nicknamed Ali/Frazier IV in allusion to their fathers' famous fight trilogy. Ali won by a majority judges' decision in 8 rounds. In 2002, Ali beat Suzette Taylor and began unifying belts with an 8 round knockout win over her division's other world champion, Valerie Mahfood. In August of 2003 she disposed of legendary brawler Christy Martin knocking her out in 4 rounds. Ali defended and retained her world title, knocking out Nikki Eplion. A meager thirteen days later, she stopped Monica Nunez in round 9, in her father's native city of Louisville, Kentucky. On September 24th, 2004, she added the IWBF Light Heavyweight Title to her resume by knocking out the champ O’Neil in 3 rounds and on June 11th, 2005, on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Kevin McBride fight, Ali defeated Erin Toughill in round 3 to remain undefeated, winning the WBC crown in addition to defending her previous title. The Ali-Toughill bout is considered one of the most exciting female to female fights in history. Laila is only the second woman in history to win a WBC title. On February 3rd, 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Ali retained her WBC Super Middleweight World Title, knocking out Gwendolyn O'Neil at 56 seconds of round 1. This made Ali headliner of the first women's professional boxing match in South Africa. After winning here she improved her record to a perfect 24-0. Ali remains undefeated and like her legendary father, Laila is and always will be a WBC Legend of Boxing.

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2008 Inductees
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