Mexican idol Marco Antonio Barrera will finally get a chance to get even with tormentor Manny Pacquiao after the major details were ironed out recently by the two fighters? chief handlers. A November date is being eyed in what many predict would be another epic encounter between two of the world?s best pound-for-pound boxers.
The consummation of the talks was revealed by Pacquiao himself in a telephone interview yesterday while enjoying the few remaining weeks of his vacation in General Santos City. Weeks from now, he will begin deep training in Freddie Roach?s Wild Card gym in California.
According to the 26-year-old Pacquiao, his handlers have informed him of the coming fight which he hopes would finally establish his superiority over the Mexican superstar.
For Barrera, the encounter would give him the opportunity to avenge the most embarrassing loss of his career.
Pacquiao scored a devastating 11th round TKO win over the then highly-favored Barrera last November 16 in San Antonio, Texas.
The 29-year-old Barrera has been aching to get a second fight with Pacquiao, claiming that several major distractions hampered his performance versus the Filipino lefty.
“Alam ko pinaghahandaan niya ako kasi yung huling laban niya, kaliwete ang istilo ng kalaban niya. Pero mas paghahandaan ko din siya ngayon,” said Pacquiao.
Barrera last fought on June 19 in Carson City, California, scoring an impressive 10th round TKO over former world champion Paulie Ayala, a southpaw like Pacquiao.
On the other hand, Pacquiao is coming off a not-so-noteworthy performance, escaping with a 12-round draw versus official world featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on May 9 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was on his way to scoring remarkable stoppage, flooring Marquez three times in the opening round, but eventually settled for a draw as his performance was reportedly hindered by cramps and a blister on his toe for using a bargained 99-cent pair of socks.
Labor time for Pacquiao starts on September 8, the date of his departure for Los Angeles, California where he will again train under the aegis of American trainer Freddie Roach, the same guy who handled Mike Tyson?s recent unsuccessful comeback.
“Wala sigurong pagbabago ang style na gagamitin ko sa kaniya. Pareho din sa una naming laban” said Pacquiao when asked of any new strategy he plans to use for his rematch with Barrera.
Pacquiao also relishes a rematch with Marquez, and ultimately squaring off with the most prominent Mexican fighter, superfeatherweight kingpin Erik “El Terrible” Morales, making the Filipino pugilist a bane among rabid Mexican boxing fans.
Meanwhile, business manager Rod Nazario disclosed that only the date and venue remains to be settled.
“Siguro it will take about a month before the date and venue is finalized. But I already received a call from Murad Muhammad and he told me Barrera will be Manny?s next foe and they are looking at a November 17 or 24 date,” said Nazario.
Nazario added that the Staples Center in Los Angeles and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas are frontrunners to host the Pacquiao-Barrera 12-round setto.
