JUST one simple taunt.
That was what made Marco Antonio Barrera agree to face Manny Pacquiao in an epic battle nearly four years ago that turned out to be Pacquiao?s defining moment.
This was revealed by Pacquiao?s former business manager Rod Nazario in a recent interview with BusinessMirror.
Nazario said Pacquiao has been longing to fight Barrera since the General Santos City warrior saw on tape one of the Mexican?s classic bouts.
?Hindi pa nakakalaban si Manny sa US gusto na niyang kalabanin si Barrera,? said Nazario ?Sabi ko sa kaniya paano ka niya lalabanan eh hindi ka pa nakikitang lumaban sa US.?
But when Pacquiao obliterated Mexican Emmanuel Lucero inside three rounds in his fourth US appearance in July 2003, Nazario whispered to the Filipino boxer about what to say on TV during the postfight interview.
?Binulungan ko si Manny na sabihin mo ?I want Barrera,?? revealed Nazario.
Pacquiao obliged gladly, uttered those words and the rest is history.
?Noong una nag-offer ?yung camp ni Barrera ng $350,000 pero sabi ko lalaban kami kung $500,000. Pumayag naman agad sila,? disclosed Nazario.
And so Barrera and Pacquiao faced each other with the Filipino superstar scoring an emphatic 11th-round TKO victory in November 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
?Alam ko mananalo si Manny pero hindi ko inasahan na ganun ka-convincing ?yung panalo niya,? said Nazario.
Sometime in early 2001, Nazario and Pacquiao sat together and watched Barrera?s upset win over Prince Naseem Hamed, the undefeated star of the featherweights during that time.
?Pinanood namin ?yung laban ni Barrera. Sabi niya ?yun daw ang gusto niyang makalaban,? said Nazario. ?At that time alam ko na may tsansa si Manny pero ang problema hindi pa nga siya kilala sa US.?
Pacquiao made his US debut on November 2001 beneath the Oscar de la Hoya-Javier Castillejo title fight at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was a late substitute challenger for International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of South Africa whose original foe had to back out because of an injury.
Pacquiao instantly seeped his way into the consciousness of hardcore American boxing fans after he defeated Ledwaba via a smashing sixth-round TKO victory.
Since that night, Pacquiao established his eminence by fighting 14 times, taking on seven former world champions, most of them future Hall of Famers that include Mexicans Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales.
Unexpected
NAZARIO admitted that he never thought Barrera would again step up to the challenge and accept a return bout with Pacquiao.
Nazario said after Pacquiao?s resounding conquest of Barrera, they immediately informed the Mexican camp of their willingness to set an immediate return bout.
?May rematch clause ?yung kontrata namin kaya sabi ko sa promoter kung gusto ba ni Barrera ng rematch pagbibigyan namin,? said Nazario ?Kaso hindi naman sila sumagot so ang akala ko ayaw na ni Barrera makaharap si Pacquiao.?
Nazario still was a bit surprised about Barrera agreeing to another encounter with Pacquiao but feels the Mexican icon is also after one final marquee payday.
?Alam mo naman sa boxing basta pag pera na ang pag-uusapan marami ang pwedeng mangyari,? said Nazario.
As expected, Nazario is picking a Pacquiao win within eight rounds.
The 33-year-old Barrera (63-5-0, 42 knockouts) is coming off a close 12-round verdict loss to Marquez last March, at the Mandalay Bay Arena.
But Barrera, who also lost his World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight crown in that fight, claimed he was robbed of a victory in his fight against Marquez.
Despite his recent loss to Marquez, Barrera remains a fierce challenge for Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 knockouts) after compiling a 6-1 record since his 2003 defeat to the Filipino superstar.
Among Barrera?s victims after losing to Pacquiao were Morales in a WBC title fight and American Olympian Rocky Juarez, whom the Mexico City native fighter decisioned twice in 2006.
Nazario is set to leave today for Las Vegas along with old chums Moy Lainez and Lito Mondejar to watch the Pacquiao-Barrera II this weekend at the Mandalay Bay.
The three continue to lend moral support for their once-prized ward despite their bitter split a few years ago that involved American promoter Murad Muhammad.
?Ang gusto lang naman ni Manny noon ay humiwalay kay Murad. Pero kami, walang naging problema ni Manny,? said Nazario ?Hindi totoo ?yung mga balita na nagkaroon kami ng problema ni Manny.?
Officials named
MEANWHILE, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) released yesterday the names of ring officials in the upcoming 12-round nontitle bout to the Philippine press.
An all-American lineup of officials was announced, with Tony Weeks named as referee while Tom Schreck, Jerry Roth and Glenn Trowbridge coming in as the judges.
American trainer Freddie Roach a few days ago created a stir as he expressed his concern should the NSAC names Joe Cortez as the third man in the ring. Roach was quoted as saying that Cortez ?favors Hispanic fighters? and that he would prefer to see other well-known referees like Kenny Bayless and Vic Drakulich get the job instead.
Pacquiao is the current World Boxing Council (WBC) International super-featherweight champion but that belt will not be at stake in his battle with Barrera.
