Boxing Preview Analysis: Marco Antonio Barrera – Juan Manuel Marquez

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.