But time and time again, he has come back with resounding effort after resounding effort.
However, on Oct. 6 in Las Vegas, Nev., 33-year-old Marco Antonio Barrera in what he says will be his last big fight, will face his biggest challenge to date in terms of proving to critics that he has something left. That’s because he’s facing arguably the sport’s most viscous puncher in Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao.
The 63-5 Barrera is hoping to avenge a 2003 loss to Pacquiao in San Antonio when he was stopped in the 11th round. On that night, Barrera looked listless and had very little in the tank, partly due to problems outside of the ring and partly due to Pacquiao’s performance.
Yet Barrera returned to form after that fight, much like he had returned to form years before after two losses to Junior Jones. Barrera again is coming off a loss, that coming in March to Juan Manuel Marquez in a close, hard-fought battle.
“I’m going to make this a good fight,” said Barrera during a international teleconference on Tuesday. “Training camp has gone well for me. I’m relaxed, I’ve done everything I can. I have no excuses this time. I’m taking this fight personal, this is for my country Mexico. I have to get revenge, he beat me last time. I expect the best from Manny, but I believe I will win and prove people wrong.” Barrera, who said he did nothing right in the first loss to Pacquiao calling it a total meltdown, is confident he can dethrone the 28-year-old super featherweight champ. Whether it’s just the pride-filled latino in him talking or it is for real, no one will know until Oct. 6 when he steps in the ring.
I don’t expect anything but the best from Barrera for two reasons. One, he has been very good in his career at making adjustment to opponents and usually in rematches, he fares better, i.e. Rocky Juarez and the second Jones fight. And two, Pacquiao, while one of the most exciting in the business, has a tendency to get lackluster at times and has enough flaws that an experienced pro like Barrera can take advantage.
Barrera has been training with unbeaten power puncher Edwin Valero of Venezuela and that could help Barrera as well because Valero has pushed Barrera to the limit to help him get ready.
But on Oct. 6 the verdict will likely be Pacquiao by late-round knockout. He is simply too strong and in his prime. Unlike junior welterweight Jose Luis Castillo, who appeared to be a shot fighter in his fourth-round knockout loss to Ricky Hatton in June, Barrera will give a better account of himself.
Pacquiao has a great mix of speed and strength and he showed tremendous will to boot in his three fights with Erik Morales. Unfortunately Barrera showed little of his true self in the first meeting between the two fighters and had they fought soon after that first fight I believe that Barrera would have had a great chance of winning because he would have been at full strength. Now, four years later and a lot more rounds in him, Barrera must try and rely on his mind and the hope that Pacquiao is mistake-prone on Oct. 6.
Win or lose, Barrera has had a great career and has done so with great integrity and pride. Pacquiao is well on his way toward greatness much like Barrera and on Oct. 6, he will solidify his stature in the sport.
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December is shaping up to be a busy month for New Mexico boxing. On Dec. 1 in Albuquerque, Ray Sanchez III and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are likely to battle in a showdown between a pair of welterweights eager to take the next step in their respective careers.
The 33-0-1 Chavez, who has the more lucrative name, he is the son of legendary Mexican champ Julio Cesar Chavez, he is presumed to have more talent and more fanfare than Sanchez. However, like Sanchez, Chavez’ quality of opposition has been questioned.
The 20-1 Sanchez has plenty of questions he needs answered as well. Are his injured hands 100 percent? He’s had three surgeries on his hands. Also, is Sanchez ready for the limelight? He hasn’t fought anyone of note and the pressure will be squarely on him in his hometown.
Also, on Dec. 21, a Top Rank card is scheduled to be held in Las Cruces, where amateur star Sammy Di Pace IV is expected to make his pro debut.
Di Pace, who turns 18 in early December, was New Mexico’s top amateur for many years, winning several national titles and representing the United States in international competition.
