The highly-anticipated rematch, four years in the waiting, between Filipino national icon Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao, and legendary Mexican champion Marco Antonio Barrera began, and ended, as many predicted?with a second win for Pacquiao.
Although there were several classic exchanges, the bout, overall, did not live up to expectations. The explosive speed and power that enabled Pacquiao to dismantle Barrera four years ago in San Antonio, Texas, did not show itself though last night?s 12-round WBC International jr. lightweight title defense; nor did the Barrera that schooled Prince Hamed and went toe-to-toe with Erik Morales in three classic battles. Instead, we saw a retiring champion unwilling to exchange in what was, for the most part, a technical fight.
On the other hand, at least two of the three supporting bouts airing on the Top Rank/Golden Boy co-promoted, HBO-PPV-televised card made up the difference in action, giving subscribers and the 10,112 in attendance their money?s worth.
After an absolutely rabid crowd gave the two fighters an electrifying welcome, the battle between two of the most respected super featherweights began their rematch inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Notorious for giving up the early rounds, Pacquiao worked wisely around Barrera who seemed happy to counter when the opportunity came. In the opening rounds Pacquiao released his talents in controlled efforts, going to the body of the 70-fight veteran.
Pacquiao did not give Barrera time to counter, but failed to make the most of his speed in its most effective form with multiple combinations. As the fight wore on, it became apparent that Barrera was being too patient to counter, and although he was making Pacquiao come after him, he failed to provide any notable sustained offensive attack.
As the rounds passed it became clear that Barrera was falling behind on the scorecards due to his inability to exchange. The crowd grew impatient as the legendary Mexican seemed content to simply not get knocked out. Meanwhile, Pacquiao landed his improved right hand with good accuracy while still sneaking left hands into the mix behind his trademark left jab. Working left hooks to the body and back upstairs, Pacquiao battered Barrera who was, at least, successful in his counters when his back was to the ropes.
Barrera managed to win the eighth round on two of the judges scorecards using a trio of straight right hands that landed in succession.
While Pacquiao lacked in his trademark ferocious approach, the smarter fighter had no trouble during the contest from a back-pedaling Barrera unwilling to trade.
The two traded heavily in the eleventh, with Pacquiao landing a right hand to the body and a big left upstairs, opening a gaping cut under Barrera?s right eye while clearly weakening his knees. Landing a right uppercut and straight left, Pacquiao could feel a knockdown coming, but before he could finish his opponent, the two tangled and referee Tony Weeks stepped in to break the two. A frustrated Barrera shamefully landed an overhand right after the break, prompting a point deduction from Meeks.
Heading into the final round, Barrera was undoubtedly heading full speed toward a loss, but still failed to dig in and make a last stand. Barrera raised his arms in victory as the bout came to a close, ending an incredible career filled with legendary performances, this not being one of them.
Judge Tom Schreck scored the bout 115-112 while judges Jerry Roth and Glenn Trowbridge scored the contest the same as Fightnews, 118-109 all for Pacquiao.
?I thought he was going to box me and hold,? said Pacquiao, now 45-3-2, 35 KOs. ?He kept his distance. He did not want to trade with me. I am satisfied with the win. He is still a good fighter so I was careful throughout the fight.
?I tried to give people a good show and I hope people like this fight. We did our best tonight and nobody got hurt.?
As promised Barrera, 63-6, 42 KOs, announced his retirement at the post-fight press conference.
?Honestly this is my last fight,? said the Mexican legend. ?I lost my head in a couple of those rounds. I got too caught up and shouldn?t have stayed in those exchanges. I should have boxed more. I think I boxed him very well and I dominated the fight with my left hand.?
CompuBox showed that Pacquiao landed more than double the power punches, and total punches, than that of Barrera.
?In the later rounds my corner was telling me I have to go after him and fight,? said Barrera. ?But it was very hard because he had such a strong defense and it was hard to break through it.
?I?m sad because I lost the fight, but he never hurt me and he never landed any punches. I thought I controlled him with my left hand all night.?
