Tonight at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, two men who have had the combined experience of 118 bouts do battle for the WBC Super Featherweight Championship.
In what could be one of the bouts of the year, Mexican legend
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Marco Antonio Barrera risks his title against compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez.
It's a fascinating battle; Barrera has won titles in three divisions while Marquez has won three versions of the featherweight crown.
Barrera's record speaks for itself. He won his first world championship back in 1995 at super bantamweight, had one of the fights of 1996 against American boxer Kennedy McKinney, handed Naseem Hamed his first defeat and also won a great trilogy against great Mexican rival Erik Morales. To cap it off, he's won titles spanning three weight divisions.
In Marquez, Barrera meets a warrior who has been a pro since 1993 and is taking his first steps into the 130 pound division. A featherweight all his career, he fought the fight of 2003 against Manny Pacquiao, bravely fighting back after suffering three first round knockdowns to force a disputed draw.
So what happens Saturday night? Many people are of the opinion that this could be the last hurrah for Barrera. Although I don't want to believe this, I feel they could be right.
Marquez, in my opinion, has the perfect style to beat Barrera. To be successful in this one, Barrera needs to force a war but I think Marquez has the ability to pick him off, as Juan Manuel is a sweet counter puncher.
Come Saturday night, Barrera may prove me wrong yet again with another vintage performance but I have this feeling that Marquez will nick a decision in a tactical fight before moving on hopefully to a mouth watering rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
Scott Harrison may get his wish and be able to test himself against the world's greatest featherweight fighter, Juan Manuel Marquez. In a great showcase earlier this month, Harrison obviously >
Cagey Marco Antonio Barrera vowed that his showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez would see him return to his former all-action slugging style but the Mexico City based WBC Super Featherweight >
President Sulaiman today sent the following letter to WBC super featherweight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez, mandatory challenger Manny Pacquiao, and their representatives:
To: Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao
From: Jose Sulaiman >
Against an as of yet unspecified opponent, WBO featherweight champion of the world Scott Harrison will return to the ring in defense of his crown later this year. In Glasgow, >
Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions, are proud to announce that on Saturday, March 15, 2008, Juan Manuel Marquez will defend >
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ.
I want to fight the best. I would love to fight Marco Antonio Barrera or Eric Morales, and would be willing to move up to 130 pounds. >
Long regarded as one of boxing’s best, pound for pound, Interim WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez has now joined the star-studded roster of Golden Boy Promotions and will >
