There was a time when Marco Antonio Barrera could go toe-to-toe with any fighter carrying 130 pounds or less. But at 33 years old, Barrera can’t do that anymore.
His punches have lost some pop, and he throws fewer of them per round. Even the speed at which his punches travel has slowed a bit. Barrera’s physical skills have diminished, but that doesn’t mean he can no longer be the best super featherweight in the world.
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At no time in his illustrious career did Barrera rely solely on physical talent. What has separated him from other great fighters of this generation is superior intellect.
Barrera is one of the smartest men to ever put on a pair of boxing gloves. He knows when to engage, when to stay on the outside and how to elude an overly aggressive attacker.
His intelligence is unmatched. And Saturday night (HBO pay-per-view at 9) he plans to utilize all his brain power during a rematch with hard-hitting Manny Pacquiao.
“Barrera is a very, very smart fighter. We are very aware of that,” said Freddie Roach, the trainer for Pacquiao. “Barrera is a true warrior and a shoo-in Hall of Famer. We are prepared for the best in Barrera and have devised a new weapon to add to Manny’s already extensive arsenal.”
Roach wouldn’t reveal the weapon, but that doesn’t concern Barrera. He knows Pacquiao is a more seasoned fighter than the one who stopped him Nov. 15, 2003, in 11 rounds. But Barrera plans to offset anything the 28-year-old Pacquiao tosses his way with know-how.
“Sometimes experience beats a young guy at his peak,” said Barrera, who is 63-5-0 with 42 KOs. “It’s about using my experience and doing my plan of fighting. That’s what’s going to help me be victorious.”
As a heavy underdog heading into the fight, Barrera leans on his wealth of experience for confidence. But to beat Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KOs), experience might not be enough.
Barrera needed a motivational edge and had to go no further than the previous fight with Pacquiao to find it. The manner in which Barrera lost has continued to haunt him. This rematch will be his opportunity to exact revenge.
At no time in his illustrious career did Barrera rely solely on physical talent. What has separated him from other great fighters of this generation is superior intellect.
Barrera is one of the smartest men to ever put on a pair of boxing gloves. He knows when to engage, when to stay on the outside and how to elude an overly aggressive attacker.
His intelligence is unmatched. And Saturday night (HBO pay-per-view at 9) he plans to utilize all his brain power during a rematch with hard-hitting Manny Pacquiao.
“Barrera is a very, very smart fighter. We are very aware of that,” said Freddie Roach, the trainer for Pacquiao. “Barrera is a true warrior and a shoo-in Hall of Famer. We are prepared for the best in Barrera and have devised a new weapon to add to Manny’s already extensive arsenal.”
Roach wouldn’t reveal the weapon, but that doesn’t concern Barrera. He knows Pacquiao is a more seasoned fighter than the one who stopped him Nov. 15, 2003, in 11 rounds. But Barrera plans to offset anything the 28-year-old Pacquiao tosses his way with know-how.
“Sometimes experience beats a young guy at his peak,” said Barrera, who is 63-5-0 with 42 KOs. “It’s about using my experience and doing my plan of fighting. That’s what’s going to help me be victorious.”
As a heavy underdog heading into the fight, Barrera leans on his wealth of experience for confidence. But to beat Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KOs), experience might not be enough.
Barrera needed a motivational edge and had to go no further than the previous fight with Pacquiao to find it. The manner in which Barrera lost has continued to haunt him. This rematch will be his opportunity to exact revenge.
“This is a personal fight for me. It’s very personal. He beat me, so I have to get my revenge,” Barrera said. “I can’t really take anything from that fight. It was Manny’s night.
“But this fight, the difference is going to be … the inspiration within me. I’m really inspired for this fight.”
