SPEED COUPLED with power is what makes Manny Pacquiao dangerous in the ring, Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera told the sports daily Esto over the weekend.
“Pacquiao has lightning-fast speed,” said Barrera in Spanish when asked to comment on why the Filipino southpaw stands out during a break in his training in Guadalajara.
“Of course his hands are heavy, but his great advantage is the speed in his hands (although) he is not today’s biggest puncher,” said Barrera, noting that arch rival Erik Morales and even Rocky Juarez “hit harder than him but they don’t have his speed.’’
Barrera aims to exact payback when he collides with Pacquiao on Oct. 6 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
“Pacquiao damages with his fists but the speed that he has is the one that overwhelms his opponents because he throws combinations with great speed,” added Barrera, who was dealt an 11th-round stoppage by Pacquiao the first time they met in Nov. 2003 in San Antonio, Texas.
But Barrera’s chief sparmate, unbeaten featherweight prospect Takahiro Aoh from Japan, believes the Mexican will avenge his defeat.
The 23-year-old Aoh, who carries a 15-0 win-loss card with eight knockouts, said Barrera’s “strong conviction” will be the difference and not because he is simply working with Barrera.
The Tokyo-based Aoh is said to be a copy-cat of Pacquiao as he is 5-5 ? and also a southpaw, according to Barrera.
Although he is coming off a loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in his last fight, Barrera is said to be training like never before since this will be his last chance at redemption.
Like other Mexican hotshots who got a taste of Pacquiao’s power, Barrera is out to redeem himself following his loss to Gensan hitman four years ago.
He even described his loss to Pacquiao as a “thorn to his throat.”
