LOS ANGELES — Going by established pre-fight facts — if not by the tale of the tape –make believe, like love, will have to reign in order for Marco Antonio Barrera to corner enough bets in the Will to Win card in Las Vegas on Oct. 6.
Of course, there will be fanatical Mexicans who will put tequila money on the Baby-faced Assassin, but they are expected to do so only with caution and reluctance.
In fact, not a few Manny Pacquiao fanatics have been taunting Barrera on the website for deluding himself that he could still avenge his 2003 knockout loss to the raging Filipino boxing superhero.
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These Pacman fans love to say Barrera has only two chances: Slim and none!
We all have heard that dig before.
Not truly original, although it tinkles with some relevance this time.
But, mind you, Barrera, 33, has greater chances than what Pacquiao diehards wanted to believe.
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So you really wanted to know who?s the sure loser this early?
The World Boxing Council (WBC), who else? All for the simple fact that no official belt will be at stake in Pacquiao-Barrera II.
That goes without saying that the WBC will be deprived of the enormous sanctioning fee.
Barrera earlier lost his WBC super featherweight belt to Juan Manuel Marquez; Pacquiao has his version of the WBC International title.
But it?s clear that dumping the International belt, as the eminent Larry Merchant had always insisted, would not deprive the monumental rematch of excitement and glitter.
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Anyway, based on his golden worth, Pacquiao definitely deserves a bigger take, bigger than the $2-million purse being bruited about.
However, it?s also easy to believe claims that Oscar De La Hoya and Bob Arum, back in each other?s arms, have conspired to shortchange Pacquiao.
These claimants have been saying that Pacquiao, after all, has already gotten a whopping cash advance — $500,000 from Golden Boy and $1 million from Top Rank — when the Pacman went bang, bang and signed left and right fight contracts with both De La Hoya and Arum — in that order.
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This issue had even led to unfounded claims that Pacquiao was thinking of pulling out.
Well, the official word is that Pacquiao et al. are scheduled to plane back to Los Angeles on Saturday, first day of Fall here, for the final push in preparations for the Oct. 6 blockbuster in Las Vegas.
Everything is certain that Pacquiao is honoring his commitment like a true gentleman.
However, maybe this need not be asked, but will Don Jose Sulaiman, the WBC big boss, still bother to be at ringside now that not even an old WBC necktie will be at stake in the rematch?
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You see, Don Jose had expressed concern after Pacquiao went down with the flu early in his Cebu training.
Sulaiman, once labeled as the pontiff of pugilism, in wishing Pacquiao well, insisted great champions should always be properly protected for their reign to last and prosper.
That said, it?s easy to believe Sulaiman would fly to Manila next month for the 45th WBC Convention at the historic Manila Hotel.
He was there last in 1996 when Luisito Espinosa successfully defended his WBC featherweight crown at the Luneta Park against Cesar Soto.
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Don Jose may also fulfill his wish to be reunited with Erbito Salavarria, whom he calls one of the finest flyweights ever to win a world crown.
But, more than this, the WBC president could make his return to Manila truly significant if he makes a call and declaration on the setting up of boxing schools for a people that basks in the greatness of its boxing heroes.
Sorry, space has again run out, so the details of that Sulaiman winning formula will be revealed in a succeeding column.
