This Saturday, March 17th, two distinguished Mexican boxers will meet each other for the first time. The legendary “Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera will go man to man with the incredibly skilled, long time champion Juan Manuel Marquez. This match up is long overdue with both men having been considered elite boxers and in nearby weight classes for almost a decade. Barrera’s long and distinguished career includes several ups (wins over Erik Morales and Naseem Hamed among others), and a few lows (losses to Junior Jones and Manny Pacquiao), but overall has put together a hall of fame resume.
Barrera is nearing the end of his career yet is still highly respected, ranked the #6 pound for pound best boxer in the world by Ring Magazine. He will be defending the WBC Super Featherweight Belt against Marquez. Marquez is also a champion, but at featherweight, one weight class south. Juan Manuel is abandoning his title at 126 pounds and moving up to 130 pounds to challenge Barrera. This is the first time in Marquez’s career that he will be fighting as a super featherweight. The four pound weight difference is not expected to be a factor. Pride and legacy will be on the line when these two great fighters meet up on Saturday. The writing team at RSR offer their predictions on this exciting match up.
Dr. Howard Reynolds
For those who believe Barrera was left a shot fighter as a result of his devastating TKO loss to Manny Pacquiao, two points of argument. First, that was a long time ago, November 2003. Second, Marco Antonio has convincingly beaten a list of pretty good fighters since; Erik Morales, Robbie Peden, Rocky Juarez twice. Barrera has something left for Marquez; MAB by late (11th round) stoppage.
Geno McGahee
I don’t see another great war between great Mexican warriors. This is going to be a tactical and somewhat boring fight with both men trying to control it with the jab, but Juan Marquez has more left in the tank and I see him dictating the fight as it goes down the stretch. Marco Antonio Barrera is just about done in boxing and this fight may just be a case of him cashing out with grace. Had he faced Manny Pacquiao, he would have been carried out of the ring. This is less bodily harm for a little less money. Marquez by UD, in the 116-112 range.
Richard Hulse
Barrera has been around forever, but this might well be the fight that ends it, against another excellent Mexican fighter. Marquez is also highly experienced, although he’s never quite had the same star value as Barrera. On the other hand, Marquez didn’t look great against Chris John, although factors such as fighting in John’s hometown may have affected him. I’ll go for Barrera to just get a tough, close points decision.
Jose Antonio Rivera
Man, this is a tough pick because I do not know which Marquez is going to show up and how much Barrera has left. I am going to go with the proven veteran who has fought his heart out for us time and time again. I pick Barrera by decision. Although I must admit that I am not really confident on my pick, even with my 50-50 chances. I just hope this turns out to be one of Barrera’s classic fights.
Roger T. Tubajiki
I pick Juan Manuel Marquez to win by unanimous decision.
David Gottlieb
This is such a difficult fight to call, with two highly skilled and highly experienced veterans. I see a great fight with swings of momentum in both directions, but I am hesitant to call this the second coming of Barrera vs. Morales. It will be more technical than most would like. When in doubt, I have to go with the guy with more power and more experience against elite opposition, fighting in his weight class and with the ability to turn it into a war if need be. Barrera by close decision.
Russ Greenspan
Barrera wins in twelve. This fight will resemble Barrera’s second fight with Rocky Juarez. Marquez is faster than Rocky, but not fast enough to force sustained action unless Barrera wishes. Barrera will rumble where he has to, and has just enough in his tank to outbox the challenger over 12 hard fought rounds.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Marco Antonio Barrera by a close unanimous decision.
Jason Tremble
Juan Manuel Marquez wins by split decision over Marco Antonio Barrera.
Chris Scott-Brown
Barrera does what he did to Rocky Juarez in their rematch and outboxes Marquez over 12 rounds. At this stage of Barrera’s career he is looking to be smart and not necessarily crowd-pleasing. He knows he can’t mix it up with these younger, less battle-hardened fighters, but he knows his experience is enough to get him over in any boxing match, unless the opponent is Manny Pacquiao.
Lee Purchase
I can see something a little more tactical than we would like. I would much prefer a war of the type that Marquez’s Bantamweight Champion brother Rafael was involved in last week against Israel Vazquez. Marquez is a little less battle weary and probably a little hungrier at this stage of his career, and I’m picking him to win by decision with some neat, crisp boxing.
Antonio Santiago
Having seen the Marquez when HBO re-ran his fight with Manny Pacquiao, he did 100 percent better against Pacquiao than Barrera did. Watching Barrera dominate Rocky Juarez in their rematch, he demonstrated that he can still switch styles just like he did when he dominated Naseem Hamed in 2001. Marquez is destined to be another all time great Mexican boxer. He just has to wait until after Barrera retires or decides to move up in weight. I hope I don’t have to eat my words when I say Barrera will win by decision.
Nate Nall
Marquez by unanimous decision. Both fighters are pure warriors, only Barrera is a warrior that is a little older and a little slower. Marquez’s skill level doesn’t seem to have diminished much over the last 3 years or so and I expect him to sail to a unanimous decision with at least a 4 point difference.
Brian Wilbur
Barrera was fortunate enough in his last fight to have Rocky Juarez come right at him. Marquez will not allow himself to get out-boxed like that; he is too smart and too skilled. Marquez will stay back and force Barrera to lead so that he can counter punch. This will mean more stalling than engaging by the combatants but it will fall right into the favor of Marquez. Juan Manuel is the better counter puncher and has slightly faster hands. This will allow Marquez to win a chess match via a twelve round decision. The action will likely be tactical and not the slugfest that boxing fans are hoping for.
Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett
I expect Marquez to come out looking to box and Barrera looking to press Marquez into heated exchanges, looking to force Marquez out of his game. As the rounds progress, the fresher Marquez will inch ahead and hold it to take a clear cut points victory.
RSR Message Board Moderators
Old School
I am going with Marquez by a 116-112 type decision with the opening six stanzas being fought on even terms. Marquez will start to take the initiative and Barrera will attempt to come back (as he always does), only this time he’ll be countered all the way by the sharp shooting Marquez.
Ghoster
I think Juan M. Marquez will box and build a lead in the early rounds. Barrera will get past his frustration and win many of the later rounds on aggression. In the end, I see Barrera trying to score a knockout fruitlessly, allowing Marquez to win by a split decision.
Neil Cartwright aka Fluffy Type R
I’m going for Marquez by split decision in what should be a great fight.
Final Tally: Marquez – 10, Barrera – 7
