Boxing Preview Analysis: Marco Antonio Barrera – Rocky Juarez

Well, the big fights just keep coming, and after De La Hoya’s golden performance in Vegas and Hatton’s close call in Boston, Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera continues on the path to cement his legacy this Saturday at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

A sure sign of Barrera’s reputation on both sides of the pond, this upcoming bout is to be televised live on both American and British TV. Opposing Barrera this time is American Rocky Juarez, who has an impressive record of 25-1 with 18 knockouts.

Hailing from Houston, Texas, Juarez, after five years as a professional could still be considered a prospect. He also packs a punch and has knocked out the likes of Hector Acero Sanchez, Antonio Diaz, Guty Espadas Jnr and Juan Carlos Ramirez. He also boasts a decision win over Erik Morales’ conqueror Zahir Raheem. The only defeat in the challenger’s career was a close decision loss to Humberto Soto in a fight he might have won had he not been deducted points for rabbit punching.

Against most opponents, this record would make him favourite. However, the man in the opposite corner is not like most opponents. Barrera has done it all in boxing. The list of opponents he has faced reads like an encyclopedia of modern boxing history. You could also argue that he has made more comebacks than Frank Sinatra. Who would have thought that he would come back from two defeats against Junior Jones a decade ago to win back his old super bantamweight titles? Who would have thought that he would have completely changed his boxing style to completely outfox Naseem Hamed? Who would have thought that after his punishing defeat to Manny Pacquiao he would rebound yet again to win titles at 130 pounds? Bet against Barrera at your peril!

The Mexican legend has admitted himself that he is coming to the twilight of his career. It’s also refreshing that the man is still willing to fight live opponents and Juarez is certainly that.

It’s conceivable in this one that the early part of the fight could turn into a brawl and I think that Rocky will try and set the running. As the fight wears on, Barrera, I feel, will know too much and break ahead on the scorecard, keeping his distance and scoring with sharp counter punches on his way to a decision win. However, Barrera is that versatile that he could easily be the one who turns this into a brawl and I’m still not yet convinced of the strength of Rocky’s chin. Barrera by late stoppage or points for me and hopefully another megafight in the fall.