MANNY PACQUIAO expects a tougher time if he gets to rumble with Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch later this year. Moments after watching the delayed telecast of Barrera?s dismantling of Paulie Ayala on local television yesterday afternoon, Pacquiao said a return bout against the man he tore into pieces the first time they met last November would no longer be as lopsided.
“Nag-improve si Barrera,” said Pacquiao in a telephone interview. “Ipinakita niya na pinag-aralan na niyang mabuti kung paano lumaban sa isang kaliwete. Nakita ko rin kung ano ang maaring niyang gawin sa akin sa aming rematch.”
Barrera has an easy time breaking apart the southpaw Ayala, who was stopped in the 10th round on June 19 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
“Sigurado ako na magiging balikatan ang magiging laban namin,” said Pacquiao, who arrived from a five-day vacation in Bangkok on Friday night with wife Jinkee and sons Emmanuel Jr. and Michael Stephen.
From the sound of his voice, Pacquiao was obviously impressed with what he had seen although he made it clear that Ayala?s lack of punching power made it easier for Barrera to impose his will.
“Mahina (manuntok) kasi si Ayala kaya siguro ganun na lang ang ipinakita ni Barrera pero maganda pa rin ang iginalaw niya (Barrera) sa pangkalahatan,” added Pacquiao.
The promotional outfits of Pacquiao and Barrera are scheduled to meet with officials of HBO Boxing to finalize the date and venue of the rematch, which would likely be shown on pay-per-view.
Barrera is represented by Golden Boy Promotions, the outfit owned by Oscar dela Hoya, while Pacquiao is handled by M&M Sports of Murad Muhammad.
Barrera and his handlers believe the Mexican body puncher had an off-night during the bout staged in front of over 10,000 fans at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Pacquiao returns to Bangkok with wife Jinkee tomorrow to take part in the GMA 7 reality action program “Extra Challenge.” He will be back on Thursday or Friday.
Once Golden Boy and M&M Sports sign above the dotted line, Pacquiao will immediately fly back to the States to start training at the Wild Card Boxing Club of Freddie Roach in Hollywood.
Roach is currently busy working with former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, who is making a return to the ring on July 30 in Louisville, Kentucky.
