Juan Manuel Marquez v Marco Antonio Barrera

Juan Manuel Marquez outpointed Marco Antonio Barrera to win the WBC world super-featherweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Marquez was knocked down in the seventh round of a thrilling bout between two Mexican greats, but got off the floor to clinch a unanimous decision at the Mandalay Bay.

Barrera started impressively, dictating the pace in the opening couple of rounds and mixing in some super left hooks with a stiff jab.

But Marquez refused to buckle and from the third onwards began to take control.

By the seventh he was looking good for an upset win, and had Barrera in huge trouble with a peach of a right hand.

But just when the “Baby-Faced Assassin” looked out on his feet he came back right at the end of the round, dropping Marquez with a stunning right hand.

The round then ended in dramatic fashion as Barrera was penalised for punching Marquez while he was kneeling on the floor.

Marquez, aided by the break between rounds, somehow regained his composure and his senses, and continued to box with great courage and knowhow.

He also cut Barrera’s eye in the closing stages as he fought his way to an enthralling victory.