With everything to gain and nothing to lose, underdog Manny Pacquiao enters the ring to face Marco Antonio Barrera for the consensus people?s world featherweight boxing championship in what could be the defining chapter in his storybook career at the Alamodome in San Antonio this morning (Manila time).
No title is at stake but whoever wins will be recognized by fans, fight experts and the authoritative Ring Magazine as the world?s top 126-pounder.
Barrera, 29, tipped the scales at 126 pounds at the weigh-in yesterday. Pacquiao, 24, checked in at 125?the heaviest since he turned pro in 1995.
Known as the “Baby-Faced Assassin,” Barrera described Pacquiao as a “dangerous” opponent. “He?s like a southpaw (Erik) Morales,” said Barrera. “My medical problems are behind me and my camp was interrupted by fire. But despite the distractions, I?m confident of victory.”
