MAB is the well running dry?

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BARRERA WINS, BUT IS THE WELL RUNNING DRY?
By Max Thurman

The greatness of Marco Antonio Barrera after 66 fights and multiple titles is beyond question. As evidenced in his hard fought decision over Rocky Juarez, while the great heart and soul remains, his overall ability to remain at the top may be slipping.

At age 32, Barrera is still hard-hitting, smart, and willing to engage. His multi-faceted game keeps him in elite company. What the Juarez fight demonstrated is that a young, hard competitor can come close in a way that just two years ago wouldn’t have happened. At his absolute prime, only fighters with a variety of skills and a willingness to go deep could stand the heat with Barrera.

For his part, Juarez is a very hard puncher, a determined battler and fundamentally sound. What he does not have is a diversified attack and skills that equal the likes of Erik Morales or Manny Pacquiao. Yet, he may have very well outworked Barrera down the stretch winning perhaps all of the last five rounds.

In each of his three encounters with Erik Morales, Barrera was fully engaged and exchanging with great ferocity from the opening bell to the final bell. He now relies on a tremendous jabs to keep opponents at bay while he builds to encounters of his choosing. While on one hand this is a smart and largely effective strategy, it may also be an early indicator of his need to measure his attacks for fear of draining his tank too early.

Juarez was able to hurt Barrera in round three and had his older opponent’s face much more messy than we’re used to seeing it, even in the tough bouts. Again, this is likely a hint that Barrera is getting hit a bit more solidly and more often than in years past. To be sure, Juarez is a world-class fighter and may very well go on to gain a world title.

When great fighters begin their inevitable slide it is often more pronounced than we see in other sports. He can’t revert to becoming a designated hitter as we often see in baseball. He can’t play in just short yardage situations as in football. And, he can’t reduce his playing time in the bout to save himself for the fourth quarter as we might see in the NBA.

Marco Antonio Barrera likely has some big fights left in him. He still represents a major obstacle for any would-be world-beater. Soon, however, he will have to take stock and make decisions about his career. At his age, in his weight class, it is indeed astonishing that he remains so competitive.

Fight fans should enjoy the greatness of Barrera while they still have the chance. It won’t last much longer.

Yes

Barrera won his fight with Juarez fair and square....it wasnt easy but he got the job done...

MAB is getting on and its a wonder he is still around, but I really think that he has a few more intriguing fights in him yet....

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Originally Posted by miles

Barrera won his fight with Juarez fair and square....it wasnt easy but he got the job done...

MAB is getting on and its a wonder he is still around, but I really think that he has a few more intriguing fights in him yet....

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:coolclick:

Very well put.

I like Barrera...he brings great things to the table...he's not one of me all time favs...but he is a HOF'er & that being said...commands mucho respecto.

He needs to fight Pac & Marquez.

MAB has been a pro since he was like what? 16? Making that weight for so many years ages you. Its not healthy.

32 may sound young but in boxing years MAB is nearly an old man... ;) At this stage in his career he gives away to much ring time to Pacman. I know he started when he was 17 but he's had considerably less bouts. He's too fresh for MAB.

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Originally Posted by AdamGB

MAB has been a pro since he was like what? 16? Making that weight for so many years ages you. Its not healthy.

32 may sound young but in boxing years MAB is nearly an old man... ;) At this stage in his career he gives away to much ring time to Pacman. I know he started when he was 17 but he's had considerably less bouts. He's too fresh for MAB.

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MAB had his first pro fight at age 15 at flyweight.

(was ageists David Felix, Barrera won by TKO in the second round)

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

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Originally Posted by miles

Barrera won his fight with Juarez fair and square....it wasnt easy but he got the job done...

MAB is getting on and its a wonder he is still around, but I really think that he has a few more intriguing fights in him yet....

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:coolclick:

Very well put.

I like Barrera...he brings great things to the table...he's not one of me all time favs...but he is a HOF'er & that being said...commands mucho respecto.

He needs to fight Pac & Marquez.

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thanks, wacko (will click you when karma abates its horrid magic)

barrera desrves all of our respect...in fact he retained it in my eyes with that performance against juarez....he could have buckled, but alas no, he dueled it out as any old master should....

i think pac and marquez would bring out more of the warrior in MAB...potential classics in the twilight of a career....

I suppose time will tell . He was completely written off before the 3rd Morales fight but thats when he brings out his best performances . Pac can get out boxed you know .


I dont think it was his best performance against Juarez , he was expecting an easy night and then he had to box with an injury . He'l be better prepared for Pac . To him its achance to prove people wrong and he'l approach it like he approached the Nas fight .The intensity thats been lacking recently will be back . He'l have fast hands and be anticipating his opponents next move . He knows when to up his game , hes been doing it all his career ;)

indeed, time will tell, and maybe 7 fights is too much...but get motivated and in there with pac...

and there is a legendary encounter in the making...

He has maybe 3 big fights left in him I'd guess. After that he should get out of the game with his health.

I'd love to see Barrera rematch Pac if he was 100% that he could beat him but I'm not too sure he believes it. He almost looked like he didn't care of the result at the end of the Rocky fight, as though he was just relieved it was over. He doesn't need grueling fights at this stage of his career (he's already given the fans more than enough) especially if the Pac fight is going to happen again.

"I'll let Oscar and my team decide whats next" - Didn't sound like he was relishing a Pac rematch to me :-\

After all the wars and big fights he's been in I'm surprised the well isn't dry already.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

I'd love to see Barrera rematch Pac if he was 100% that he could beat him but I'm not too sure he believes it. He almost looked like he didn't care of the result at the end of the Rocky fight, as though he was just relieved it was over. He doesn't need grueling fights at this stage of his career (he's already given the fans more than enough) especially if the Pac fight is going to happen again.

"I'll let Oscar and my team decide whats next" - Didn't sound like he was relishing a Pac rematch to me :-\

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I think what happend to him with pac took more out of him mentally than physically... It seems now hes lost allot of the hunger he once had, and just boxes 'Cox hes been doing it since he was 15 and its become like a habit for him...

Id like to see him get back in the ring and have a rematch with pac, but only if he was 100% motivated for it - and was willing to go to hell and back if needed; would hate to see someone like him get stopped and call it a day on his already legendary career 'Cox he lost the hunger and didn't know when to call it a day...

I really think he's just about done. he will be a hall of famer though without a doubt. I kinda want to see him fight pac one more time though. It would be lovely to see hime beat pac and then retire like a great champ ya know.