The esteemed editor-in-chief of Ring Magazine, Nigel Collins says “it looks like another stoppage victory” for Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao in his rematch with legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino on October 7, Manila Time.
Ring Magazine, acknowledged as “The Bible of Boxing” has Pacquiao as its No. 1 super featherweight contender with Juan Manuel Marquez at No. 2 and Barrera ranked No. 3 while Pacquiao is second to “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather in the pound-for-pound rankings but could conceivable overtake Mayweather in the Ring reckoning with another dominating performance against the 33 year old Barrera.
Although Collins told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today it is possible that “Manny’s crazy lifestyle and countless distractions coupled with Barrera’s skill and pride will result in an upset.” However, Collins thinks “it is unlikely” and Pacquiao will prevail by either a knockout or TKO.
The Ring Magazine editor-in-chief who visited Manila after the first Barrera fight to personally hand Pacquiao the Ring Magazine belt at a Malacanang ceremony graced by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, noted that Barrera is “training diligently” because he knows this is his “last chance to enhance his legacy.”
Collins said that if Barrera is beaten again he will be “dumped with Erik Morales as another Mexican star who couldn’t get past Pacquiao.” He said that besides wanting to avenge his November 2003 eleventh round demolition by Pacquiao, Barrera “wants to be one up on arch rival Morales and beating Pacquiao will certainly accomplish that.”
Collins made it clear that another dominant display by Pacquiao “could conceivably push him to the No.1 position in the Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound ratings especially if Floyd Mayweather (the current No,1) scrapes past Ricky Hatton.” He pointed out that another performance like the one he (Mayweather) delivered against Oscar De La Hoya “will not be enough to keep ‘Pretty Boy’ on top.”
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