LOS ANGELES ? Promoter Murad Muhammad of M&M Sports and Richard Schaeffer of Golden Boy Promotions are set to start talks this week to explore the possibility of staging a grand rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico this year. Muhammad, Pacquiao?s promoter who is based in New Jersey, said he will call up Schaeffer, CEO of Oscar De La Hoya?s promotional outfit Golden Boy Promotions, either today or Wednesday to discuss and possibly set a timetable for a return bout.
Pacquiao punished Barrera in 11 one-sided rounds last Nov. 15 in San Antonio, Texas and took the “People?s Champion” belt away from the Mexican ring idol. Since then, both men have fought separate bouts with Barrera winning by knockout over two-time world champion Paulie Ayala only last weekend.
The 25-year-old Pacquiao drew his match with another Mexican, Juan Manuel Marquez, last May 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada but the controversy surrounding that bout might not be settled until next year ? the earliest a return bout could be set.
“Manny Pacquiao, Rod Nazario and I, we have all concurred that Marco Antonio Barrera deserves a rematch,” said Muhammad in a telephone interview.
In a separate interview, Schaeffer confirmed that Barrera is leaning towards a return bout with Pacquiao, although he made it clear they are also considering a third encounter with Erik Morales, who is expected to beat Carlos Hernandez of El Salvador on July 31 in Las Vegas.
“Marco certainly looked great and showed the world that last November was indeed an off night,” Schaeffer told The Bulletin.
On the other hand, Rod Nazario, who handles the affairs of Pacquiao, said another Mexican in Oscar Larios is also a candidate to face Pacquiao in case Muhammad fails to reach a deal with Barrera?s camp.
Like Bareera, Larios, the reigning World Boxing Council super-bantamweight titlist, is also being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.
Muhammad said that a rematch with Barrera is important in order to prove to everyone that Pacquiao clearly won the fight, minus the pre-fight distractions claimed by some Barrera insiders that led, one way or the other, to only the fourth loss of Barrera?s 62-fight career.
“We need to show the world that the victory was no fluke, no accident and it was Pacquiao?s excellent performance that won him the fight,” said Muhammad.
Barrera?s right hand man, Roberto Diaz, said the 30-year-old Mexican warrior will go back to the gym in no time.
“He will relax for a while and be with his family but everyone who knows Marco Antonio Barrera believe that he will come back strong like when he lost to Junior Jones and Erik Morales in the past,” said Diaz.
Diaz was optimistic that Barrera will gain his rightful spot and throne as the acknowledged king of featherweights as well as his pound-for-pound status as one of the world?s best.
“We have shown in the Ayala fight what good preparation can make. While the public may have seen an easy fight, we credit hard preparation as the key to everything,” added Diaz. “This time, there were no distractions.”
Muhammad congratulated and praised the Barrera camp for the victory and was optimistic that a rematch can be reached.
“I know they will do what?s right to make the fight happen. Everything can happen,” said Muhammad.
“Everything is possible, even the date of a fight,” added Muhammad, who is looking at September or early October.
