Domingo Barrera

Spanish boxer Domingo Barrera had a promising start to his career as an amateur fighter, winning bronze in the lightweight category at the 1963 Mediterranean Games. The following year Barrera fought at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics where he lost to Jim McCourt of Ireland in the quarter-finals. After the Olympics he turned professional, winning on his pro début in November 1966 in Tenerife. He then went on an impressive run, winning his next twenty fights to earn himself a shot at the Spanish super-lightweight title. The fight in June 1968, however, ended in defeat for Barrera. Two years later he had another shot at the Spanish title, but again Barrera did not win the bout.

During 1971 Barrera had two opportunities to win a world title belt. The first was for the WBA light welterweight title against the great Argentine boxer Nicolino Locche in Buenos Aires, with the home favourite winning via a split decision. A few months later Barrera fought Bruno Arcari in Italy for the WBC super-lightweight title in a bizarre and controversial encounter in Genova. In the tenth round of the fight Barrera collapsed clutching his knee. Despite not being hit by his opponent, with Arcari standing about six feet away, Barrera said he had been struck by a coin that had been thrown from the crowd. The Spanish boxer was then counted out by the referee to lose the match. Barrera finally won a title when he beat Enrique Levy for the Spanish super-lightweight title in January 1973, but lost the belt only a month later. He fought in 50 professional fights during his career, winning 40, including 20 by knock-out.