Earlier today at the Jesse James Leija Champion Fit Gym in San Antonio, TX, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Marco Antonio Barrera participated in a media workout in advance of the June 26th Top Rank card they will be headlining. The two men are at different points in their career, with the younger Sinaloa, Mexico fighter still learning the curves of the sport while Barrera himself is clawing to hang on to his career after having experienced just about everything there is to take in as a professional.
Chavez Jr. will face off with once beaten Irishman John Duddy on Saturday night at the nearby Alamodome in what could be one of the stiffest tests of his still blossoming career. Chavez has been the center of discussion recently because of his involvement with Freddie Roach at the trainer?s Wild Card gym in Los Angeles. Looking back on the early days with the 24-year old Chavez, Roach admits that he wasn?t completely sold at first.
?There really wan an over/under line, two weeks, on how long it would take Julio to make it in our gym,? Roach said. ?The ?over? won easy. None of the things people warned me about him were true. He came in and worked hard. He loves to run and this morning he was the one who woke me up and said ?Coach, time to get up and run?. He is such a great person to know.?
Despite his fondness for Chavez, Roach seems to recognize the danger in a bout with Duddy, who is tall and can punch a little bit himself. The trainer seems to realize that the tandem will have to work on tightening Julio?s defense in order to avoid the incoming that will be headed his way.
?We are in tough against Duddy,? Roach admitted. ?Duddy likes to throw hard right hands and Julio tends to get hit with rights. That?s not a good combination for us. Julio had no problems sparring 12 rounds in the gym last week. He is in very good shape and if he can pressure Duddy, I think Julio has a very good chance of being the first to stop him.?
For his part, Chavez Jr. seems to recognize the importance of working with a world renowned coach like Roach and at first had his doubts on whether he could hang. Looking back on the situation Chavez Jr. seems to fully appreciate the position he is in.
?At first I thought to myself, ?Could I really hack it with Freddie Roach?? Chavez stated. ?Could I make it? I did and I am a better fighter for it. He has taught me so much in our time together. I am excited, motivated, and in great condition. I am going to show everyone Saturday what being in great condition really means. Duddy is a good, strong fighter, however. I expect a tough fight and I am sure Duddy will fight hard.?
At 36 years old, Marco Antonio Barrera is considered by many to be on his last legs as a professional. The Mexico City native?s 65-7 record with 43 knockouts has seen him face a myriad of world class opposition between 122 and 135 pounds, winning some breathtaking affairs and losing some heartbreakers. Perhaps Barrera?s finest outing was on February 19th, 2000 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada when he revived his career with a scintillating battle against Tijuana?s Erik ?El Terrible? Morales. Despite losing via split decision many watching felt that Marco had done enough to pull out the victory and he was instantly thrust back into the public’s eye.
San Antonio actually marks the spot of a terrible loss to Barrera as he was stopped in the 11th round against the whirlwind attack of Manny Pacquiao in November of 2003. The two men would fight again in October of 2007, with Barrera losing by decision while definitely showing his age. The proud fighter?s March 2009 technical decision loss to Amir Khan was another hard pill to swallow and he is simply at a stage in his career where he can?t afford to lose. Heading into this Saturday night the modest fighter was completely realistic when eyeing his opposition.
?Adilton De Jesus is taller than me and he hits hard. It is a difficult fight but I am ready. My experience and pressure will be the difference. I have been in a lot of big fights. I still have some goals left in the sport and this fight means a lot to me.?
