Heart Cannot Waiver Facts

from ricardo@boxingconfidential.com

Writing about boxing in a non-biased fashion is difficult, no doubt about it. The sport of boxing is fueled by emotions and separating my own feelings from what I write can be an exercise in futility at times. Especially when it comes to one of boxing's all-time legends Marco Antonio Barrera.


As a fan, Barrera was the first fighter I supported and enjoyed watching. My first experience with live boxing was at The Forum in Inglewood, California on July 15, 1995. On that night Saman Sorjaturong upset Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez in classic encounter. On the undercard, Marco Antonio Barrera scored a first round knock out, via a wicked left-hook to the body, over Maui Diaz.


That body punch caught my eye and from that night forward, I followed Barrera and boxing, much closer than I had done the previous 20 years of my life.


Twelve-years later, Barrera has been through the highs and lows of a heralded professional career. His fights with Erik Morales are legendary and back to back defeats against Junior Jones will never be forgotten. What ever your personal opinions of “The Baby Faced Assassin”, he is a first ballot Hall of Famer and one of the best featherweights to ever lace on a set of leather mitts.


Two weeks from today, Barrera goes into the fourth re-match of his career against the latest sensation in the land of feathers, Manny Pacquiao. Destroyed in their November 15, 2003 clash (my 29 birthday coincidently)by Pacquiao, Barrera has been in the hunt for a second crack since then.


Pacquiao is at the height of his supremacy, Barrera in the final moments of his time in the sport and due to the manner in which Pacquiao neutralized Barrera the first time, very few experts or level-headed fans give Marco Antonio a shot.


Thinking as a clear-headed analyst, I give the nod to Pacquiao. Though not the most technically gifted fighter, Manny brings an X-factor to the ring that cannot be explained. Pacquiao's heart, speed, and power are fueled by the fact that he is a national hero from humble beginnings to his people. The end result is a pugilistic style that resembles Warner Brothers' Tasmanian Devil whirlwind of madness.


At this stage in his career, it is doubtful Barrera can fight three minutes of each twelve-rounds at the necessary level of intensity to ward off Pacquiao. Marco Antonio has never been a pure power puncher and Pacquiao's power is immense. A critical comparison of foot and hand speed seem to go to Pacquia, as well.


Vegas odds makers, who are rarely off the mark, have Barrera as a two and a half to one underdog.


Things look bad for our man from Mexico City.


Yet there are other factors that must be accounted for. While Pacquiao is having a solid training training camp, with coach Freddie Roach, in his homeland, there have been signs which could indicate to a loss of focus.


For one, Manny Pacquiao took of a few days of training early in September due to suffering from flu-like symptoms. Yet during that time, Pacquiao was spotted playing a competitive game of basketball. Was the flu an excuse to miss a few days of training?


It has also been documented at length here at Boxing Confidential by our main man Michael Marley that there have been rumors of Manny Pacquiao asking for an advance on his purse from co-promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank. Is Manny bent or upset on his take for this fight, now that two promotional firms are digging into the purse?


If that were not enough to distract any fighter, Pacquiao has also announced that he will be appearing regularly in a Filipino television series. While all these sidebars may not be enough to derail Pacman, they are not positive factors for a man preparing for a grueling athletic event.


Will these distractions be enough to give Barrera a much needed edge?


Doubtful.


Sources close to Barrera inform Boxing Confidential that his Guadalajara, Mexico training camp is firing on all cylinders, including sparring from another Tazmanian Devil like figure Venezuelan Edwin Valero.


While my inner gut screams, “WAR BARRERA!!!!,” my brain tells me that we will see Pacquiao further defeat Barrera and, if possible, in a more embarrassing fashion than 2003. No matter how much my heart wants to see Barrera leave on the top with a revenge victory, it looks like another rough night for Barrera fans.

I dont think his loss to Pac was embarrassing and I dont think if he is defeated again it will tarnish his reputation in any way. Hes one of Mexicos ATGs and will remain that way after the fight.

yes, he will always be remembered as the one who defeated Naz.