On October 6th, the man known as “The Pacman” will be facing off against an old foe in Marco Antonio Barrera, a man that he defeated in 2003 with an eleventh round TKO. It was an upset at the time and many believe that Pacquiao got a hold of a bad Barrera, and now the Mexican icon intends to prove that this theory is true.
The first encounter between these two men was as one sided as a contest could be, with Manny Pacquiao dishing out incredible punishment, eventually beating Barrera into submission. This was the most desperate that Barrera has ever been, using dirty tactics to try to change the fight, but nothing worked. Now as we head for the rematch, Barrera seems like an incredible long shot. This is now perceived by many as a money fight…Barrera leaving the sport with one last big payday.
Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Marquez is where the biggest challenge might be. The only man ever to keep his head under fire and actually find a way to control “Pacman” has been Marquez. In their encounter, Marquez would hit the canvas three times in the very first round to rebound and control much of the fight later on. Although the draw was questionable, which was the end result, the fact that Marquez put up such a valiant effort and put forth such a great comeback made many think that, in a rematch, that he would do enough to clearly win a decision over the Filipino superstar. At this time however, that fight is clearly on the backburner. With Marquez facing off against Jorge Barrios, a very dangerous fight, and Pacquiao tied up with Barrera, we are looking at least at another 8 to 12 months before they actually get a chance to face off in the ring again.
The super featherweight division isn’t all Pacquiao, Barrera, and Marquez. There are other fighters looking for a shot at one of the bigger names. Most notably is the knockout sensation: Edwin Valero. The WBA Super Featherweight Champion brings in a record of, 22-0, 22 KO’s, with 19 first round knockouts. The only reason that he is not headlining pay per views is the fact that he has not been medically cleared in the United States. The public is becoming familiar with the existence of this fighter and eventually the public demand will bring him to the U.S. and force the hand of the medical board.
Manny Pacquiao taking on a knockout machine like Valero is the best fight in boxing and, on paper, it would be another Marvin Hagler – Tommy Hearns. There is no way that there wouldn’t be fireworks. With the “Pacman” being in his prime right now, an improved fighter since 2003, and Valero cutting through his opposition like a hot knife through butter, the intrigue would certainly be there…a lot more so than Barrera looking for one last payday.
The WBO Super Featherweight Champion is Joan Guzman, another undefeated fighter with some good victories on his record. The biggest name that stands out is a decision win over Jorge Barrios, and he is facing off against Humberto Soto in his next title defense, which should tell us even more about Guzman. He has a real feel for the ring and is very consistent, which might give a puncher like Pacquiao trouble. The only problem is that the public demand just isn’t behind Guzman because he doesn’t bring the one punch power. With a record of, 27-0, 17 KO’s, he gives the appearance that he’s a knockout threat, but his last six bouts have gone the distance and he doesn’t appear to be a KO risk to the upper echelon of the super featherweight division. He is still a good challenge for Pacquiao but it probably wouldn’t bring the fireworks like Valero would.
One of the most charismatic fighters awaiting a big time shot is Jorge Barrios, Marquez’s next opponent. With a record of, 47-3-1, 34 KO’s, he brings a big punch, but an even bigger attitude. His one recent loss was to Guzman by a split decision and has rebounded with a first round knockout over an overmatched opponent, but it still gives him some momentum going into his big shot against Marquez. If he should pull the upset, which is not out of the question, a bout with the Filipino sensation would be hugely entertaining for various reasons. First, both men pack a punch. Secondly, Barrios is an arrogant fighter and a confident one. He would go into the fight with the certainty that he was going to win by knockout. Next to Valero, this might be the most exciting match up for Manny Pacquiao on paper.
If the super featherweight division doesn’t supply Pacquiao with the super bouts that he wants to end his career, he could move up five pounds to the lightweight division, where many challenges await. The most exciting fight in the division is a bout with the “Baby Bull” Juan Diaz. Diaz brings a record of, 32-0, 16 KO’s, and owns the WBO/WBA Lightweight Titles and is looking to add the IBF version when he faces off against Julio Diaz. He should accomplish this and when Pacquiao cuts through Barrera in quick fashion, as I expect him to, the match up would be fantastic for the fans. Diaz can hit but he is not a big puncher and he has questionable defense. If a move up is considered, Diaz would make a lot of sense. Even if Pacquiao loses, his reputation stays intact and he can move right back down to the super featherweight division.
Other match ups in the lightweight division are Joel Casamayor, Nate Campbell, and Zahir Raheem, and all three are definitely winnable. The lightweight division seems wide open for the Pacman to come in and rule if the super featherweight division can’t supply him with the matches that he and the public wants.
On October 6th, we will see Manny Pacquiao face off against Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch. This bout is good business, not good boxing. Barrera is a name, but he is far beyond his best years. He isn’t as good as he was in 2003, and Pacquiao is much better than he was in their first encounter. What does that equal up to? It’s simple. Manny Pacquiao is going to make short work of Barrera and then hopefully we will see him take on one of the better super featherweights or perhaps move up to take on the “Baby Bull” in a terrific showdown.
