THE lasting image that I have of Marco Antonio Barrera fighting power puncher Naseem Hamed is the former trapping the latter in a headlock, depositing him towards the corner and bashing his head into the turnbuckle.
A wrestling move that would have brought tears to Hulk Hogan?s eyes. But it?s a move that could well find its way again into the rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
Here?s why.
Barrera can?t beat Manny Pacquiao running away. Morales tried it in the third fight and failed, miserably. Manny Pacquiao is a fleet-footed speed demon who can cover the whole breadth of the ring in an instant. Like a point guard leading the fast break. I know. I played basketball with him.
Even if Barrera were to be successful at it for 12 full rounds, the scorecards wouldn?t be so kind to him. Aggression equals points. Backing up the whole time against the very same guy who knocked you out will definitely not impress the judges. It?s an ill-advised fight strategy.
Barrera also cannot afford to slug it out. He tried it the last time to disastrous results. He may still have the power, but his hand speed pales in comparison. Pacquiao would simply overwhelm him.
UNWATCHABLE. The best chance for him to beat Manny is to make the fight as ugly as he can?from a spectator?s point of view that is. Un-watchable would be the appropriate term.
And there?s no lack of precedents here. After being nailed with a vicious left hook by Rocky Juarez and pummeled for majority of the rounds in the first fight, Barrera wisely kept his distance and fought only when necessary in the rematch.
I found myself stifling a yawn several times during the match. It was that boring.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Winky Wright seated together, giggling and stroking each other at ringside a few rows behind Hopkins and de la Hoya had much more intrigue.
Barrera will probably throw jabs and one-twos, hoping to catch Manny coming in. If he doesn?t, he?ll cover up when Manny throws, move to the ropes, and clinch. Repeat as often as desired.
MEXICAN WARRIOR. Of course, there?s a good chance that the fierce Mexican warrior spirit that lurks inside will get the better of him at some time in the fight.
If he keeps his head in the fight, he will reject the temptation to slug. But if he becomes hurt and desperate, we just might get lucky and get a fight-of- the-year candidate. But I?m not betting my beer money on it.
It won?t be pretty, but it will still be Manny by unanimous decision.
JACKSON UNIFIES. It wasn?t as explosive as the Last Round predicted it to be, but ?Quentin? Rampage Jackson got the job done and defeated Dangerous Dan Henderson to become the so-called first man in mixed martial arts history to hold unified titles.
Although Jackson?s improved groundwork was quite evident in that fight, his boxing skills still need refinement.
Jackson loves to counterpunch. When his opponent throws, he crouches and covers up with one hasnd, and counters with swings from his free hand.
That punch found a home in Chuck Lidell?s unprotected head. But the technically superior Henderson was able to pick it off, and by the second round, began timing him with the perfect punch to throw against a ducking opponent -the uppercut.
Good thing those shots weren?t that hard and Jackson has the stamina to fight every minute of every round.
THE LAST ROUND. It?s on Marit Stinus-Remonde, the new 2007-2008 Governor-elect for the Philippine South District of Kiwanis International. Congratulations and cheers!
