LAS VEGAS – Nearly four years after they waged war in San Antonio, Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera will be at it again Saturday evening (Sunday noon in Manila) at the Events Center of Mandalay Bay.
It?s a fight, scheduled for 12 rounds, everybody?s been waiting for, not much for the Filipino?s WBC International super-featherweight crown, but for vengeance the Mexican is eyeing before he leaves the sport.
Barrera said this will be his last big fight, win, lose or draw. He?ll be going for the win of course, but will be facing the tallest odds to avenge a bitter 11th round knockout loss to Pacquiao in Texas on Nov. 15, 2003.
On the eve of the fight, Pacquiao was at -360 (you need $360 to win $100) while Barrera was at +300 (a $100 bet wins $300). No major changes are seen or expected until the gates close hours before the fight.
?It?s a fight you will remember for the rest of your lives,? said Oscar dela Hoya of Golden Boy during Friday?s weigh-in. He is co-promoting the fight with former rival and now business partner Bob Arum of Top Rank.
The whole world will be watching.
Many believe that the 33-year-old Barrera, one of the great Mexican fighters of all time, is past his prime. But it?s when he?s pushed to the wall that this former champion in three different weight classes rises to the occasion.
?Tomorrow is the moment of truth. We will see,? said Pacquiao from suite at Mandalay Bay.
Pacquiao, at 28, has yet to reach the peak of his career. He has won his last five fights, beating Erik Morales twice last year, and pushing the legendary Mexican, whom he hurt so bad last November, on the brink of retirement.
Still, Pacquiao, the People?s Champion, cannot afford to lose this one since he?s coming off a painful loss in the May 14 elections back home.
Pacquiao and Barrera will lock horns before an expected sell-out crowd.
Only this time, the money is flowing for the Filipino in a complete reversal of roles from that cold November night in Texas. The victory over Barrera opened the whole world to Pacquiao and his once poor family.
Pacquiao, as the odds would show, is favored to win by knockout.
? I won?t be surprised if we catch this guy early ? if we hit him right away. Manny is much stronger now. He?s a better puncher at 130 pounds. And he?s a more matured person now,? said Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach.
?I want Manny to make him remember the 11th round of the last fight right away. We?re going to warm up good and start fast and use that good, hard jab we?re working on,? the American trainer said.
Pacquiao?s stiff jab, Roach added, should be featured in this fight.
?That?s the newest punch that we will use. That jab is fast and hard and he has never really used it in his fights too often. It?s coming along better. It?s a great punch. Maybe he can knock Barrera or anyone with that punch,? Roach said.
Roach said Barrera will find it very difficult to impress the judges with his counter-punching because of Pacquiao?s great speed.
?It?s not going to work. He will be one step behind all night long. People say he will run. But he?s not capable of running.?
