MARCO LIKES PUBLIC RELATIONS DRUM OVER BONGOS!
Las Vegas, NV-In the past 48 hours, Marco Antonio Barrera, the WBC titleholder at 130 lbs., has called out Manny Pacquiao. Having KO’d both Barrera and Erik Morales, and with a third Morales fight already signed for September, Pacquiao is in the position of power here I would think. Barrera, 61-4, (42 KO’s) is demanding that Pacquiao 41-3-2, (33 KO’s) agree to a November 4th rematch of their November 2003 match. Off night or not, the bottom line is that Pacman beat on Barrera as if he were a set of Mexican bongo drums.
ASKING TOO MUCH OF PACQUIAO TO COMMIT TO DATE!
While it’s expected that Pacquiao will do another number on the fading Morales, to fight less than three months later might just be a little too much to ask of Manny. With the Jesus Chavez WBA 135 lb. title challenge off, Rocky Juarez has been penciled in as Marco’s foe for a May 20th card in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. With the Mexicans coming through the turnstiles by the thousands, one can expect that match to come close to, if not selling out, all 18,000 seats!
BARRERA HAS AN IMAGE HE WOULD LIKE CHANGED!
I can see why Barrera needs to wage a Public Relations war here. Even though he has that green belt, boxing fans, both Mexican and Filipino, know Manny crunched Marco after 10+ rounds (TKO 11). A few rounds before referee Laurence Cole halted matters, Marco was looking to get out. Looking like his parachute didn’t open, Barrera would have preferred the pounding he took not be as prolonged as it was.
THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE BLITZ OF MORALES!
With Pacquiao holding KOs over both of his Mexican counterparts, Barrera and Morales, Manny is recognized as the people’s champion. As for wearing the WBC trinket, neither man needs papa Jose Sulaiman to give his blessing in order for the WBC to take 2% of each purse. Manny and Marco are a pair of fistic icons from different countries on a collision course. The only question is when? Be it in November 2006, February, or even May 2007, the encore between Pacquiao and Barrera will be the biggest fight money wise in 130 lb. history.
PACQUIAO-LARIOS IN ”THE ISLANDS” IN JUNE?
Mixed reports from the Philippines have caused some confusion. It now looks like Pacquiao will meet Oscar Larios (56-4-1, 36 KO’s) after all! With a tentative date of June 25th, this certainly kills the proposed fourth meeting between World 122 lb. king Israel Vasquez and ex-champ Larios. With the political situation currently in the Philippines, it remains to be seen as to whether HBO will fly the crew across the Pacific pond.
