| |
|
Vendetta in Autumn
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Sat, 25 Aug 2007

Marco Antonio Barrera turned 33 years old last January. His career has been superlative and it is a sure fire ticket to the Hall of Fame. His record of 63 wins (KO 42) - lost 5 is something most boxers would envy.
Four years ago he was riding on the crest of a wave of significant victories – from the 2001 dismantling of the Naseem Hamed myth and winning his rematch against Erik Morales in 2002. He was also beating name fighters like Johnny Tapia and Kevin Kelley.
A year later he faced a brash young Filipino who entered the ring a 9 to 1 underdog in most betting stations. Barrera received a thorough beating and most boxing writers were preparing to write his obituary.
Then came the third Morales fight and fans realized that he was not washed up.
There are still people who cling to the idea that he was not mentally prepared against Manny Pacquiao. Barrera’s performance against Rocky Juarez in their first encounter also showed that he was still capable of waging a ring war. But the lingering question remains: For how long?
In his last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez and the scoreline may have been appalling, but questions lingered – has he fought one war too many? Is four years and seven fights really a long time to wait to once again face the fighter who almost signed his retirement check?
The Juarez rematch may provide a blueprint of Barrera’s battle plan: Box instead of brawl. But Juarez did not provide adequate pressure in their rematch. Another big problem is that Barrera will also be facing a different and more improved Manny Pacquiao this time around.
There will be also negative mental images that Barrera needs to erase. The most prominent of which is that he was rescued by a relative in the ring against further punishment from the Pacman. But revenge is a dish best tasted cold. Barrera will definitely want a huge bite.
Whatever his fight plan is one thing is certain. Barrera will not go quitely. Mexican warriors never do.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14 , Tue, 28 Jul 2026Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny , Tue, 28 Jul 2026Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing , Tue, 28 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana , Tue, 28 Jul 2026Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58 , Tue, 28 Jul 2026Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026PH football in group C, G By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026'The Fight Is Signed': Hearn Declares Joshua vs. Fury Secured as Mind Games Begin with 'Landlord' Spoof By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Chezka Centeno wins 3rd world title by ruling the Oneida WPA Women's World 8-Ball Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026CARE conducts 6.5mile open water in Davao Gulf By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Mise, Arellano rule Davao-Japan golfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Berlanga, Hitchins Win in Zuffa Boxing New York Event By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026World champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay to headline International Boxing Day in Astana , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Cyrud "The Ferocious" Cabautan Defeats Michael "D' Power Fist" Diaz in Olympus Rising by TWC Amateur MMA Fight By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026USA Boxing Earns Four Wins at 2026 Capri Boxing Cup , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Jul 2026Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City! , Sun, 26 Jul 2026Team USA Set for Capri Boxing Cup Against Italy on Saturday , Sun, 26 Jul 2026'The Comeback' Weigh-In results and confirmed Fight Night running order as AJ faces Prenga By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|