On Thursday, Golden Boy Promotions officially announced what promises to be one of the most anticipated fights of 2007, when Mexican superstars Marco Antonio Barrera (63-4, 42 KO’s) takes on arguably the best counter puncher in the sport in Juan Manuel Marquez (46-3-1, 35 KO’s) in a twelve round WBC super featherweight championship fight on March 17 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Despite the billing of the fight as a Mexican “Civil War” by promoter Oscar De La Hoya, there was no question that both fighters brought more than one meaning to the tag ‘civil’ as they both heaped praise and respect on each other.
“Life gives you opportunities,” commented Marquez through his translator, “and this is an opportunity I will not miss. I want to be the champion and to become a champion you need to fight the champ. That is what I am doing, fighting the best.”
Barrera also showed his opponent a great deal of respect, commenting that “he (Marquez) is very professional, a great fighter,” and when he compared him to a familiar foe, Manny Pacquiao, he heaped even more praise on Marquez, saying “He’s got a more difficult style (than Pacquiao); he’s more of a counter puncher.”
However, the emphasis on the ‘Mexican’ part of the “civil war” ultimately trumped civility as both fighters promised victory in no uncertain terms, with Barrera stating “I hope he fights like a Mexican and comes forward,” and then adding “he’s going to need a baseball bat to beat me!”
Marquez was no less prophetic when he promised a more “Mexican” style than had been seen in some of his fights in the past.
“He’s a champion. I’m the challenger. I’m going to do whatever I have to in order to win the fight. I am going after him!”
Against Pacquiao, Marquez engaged in a round that undoubtedly cemented his credentials as a true Mexican warrior, something not lost on De La Hoya or Barrera.
He gave Manny Pacquiao the toughest fight of his career,” declared De La Hoya, who also added that it was one “the greatest comeback’s” he’d ever witnessed.
Barrera was equally respectful in regards to Marquez’ performance against Pacquiao, admitting that although his mind was set on a rematch with Pacquiao initially, after that fight failed to materialize, “when the name Juan Manuel Marquez came up, I said what better way to substitute Pacquiao than with the man who beat him.”
Tickets have gone on sale today, with starting prices at $50, and going up to $400. Tickets can be obtained via the Mandalay Bay Casino (www.mandalaybay.com) or by visiting Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).
