A focused Barrera looking for revenge in career finale

By Matthew Aguilar

03/10/2007

A focused Barrera looking for revenge in career finale

There was something wrong with Marco Antonio Barrera on Nov. 15, 2003.  You could see it in his lifeless walk into the ring. You could see it when he half-heartedly stepped through the ropes. And you could see it when the first round bell rang, and he nonchalantly moved toward his opponent. The body was soft and lacking definition. The eyes were expressionless. Even the longish hair and white trunks didn't look right. Something was missing. And it was as obvious as the San Antonio autumn chill.

Not to take anything away from Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino fireplug who blitzed Barrera so decisively that you wondered if the Mexico City superstar would ever recover.

It was “Pac-Man’s” speed, his power - his raw, unadulterated intensity - that contributed to Barrera’s demise that night.

But, it was only that - a contributor. Which is why SaturdayÂ’s anticipated rematch between challenger Barrera, 63-5-1 (42 knockouts), and junior lightweight champion Pacquiao, 44-3-2 (35 KOÂ’s) at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas will be much more competitive than the original almost four years ago.
 
DISTRACTIONS APLENTY
 
There is little question that Barrera was distracted that night in 2003.
Severely distracted.

The chaos started with a bizarre rumor that Barrera had undergone a brain procedure to remove an abnormality. At first, the thought seemed ridiculous – but shockwaves resounded when the rumor was confirmed.
Barrera had indeed had minor surgery to remove a mass of tissue that had grown on his brain. And the media, wondering how Barrera could be issued a license to box, pounced on him.

At the same time, wildfires began to devour the forest around BarreraÂ’s training camp in Big Bear, Calif., and the four-time world champ was forced to flee for his life.

He set up camp elsewhere, but the damage was done, both psychologically – having to divulge sensitive information regarding his health; and physically – the fires had interrupted his training schedule.

The two episodes combined to wreak havoc on his preparation. Meanwhile, Pacquiao – it’s hard to believe he was ever an unknown – trained in comparative solace. The result was an overwhelming, breakout victory for Pac-Man. The second round was a precursor of things to come, as Pacquiao dropped Barrera with a wicked right-left combination.

Shockingly on the deck, Barrera wore a resigned, bewildered look. Without the training he needed to ward off PacquiaoÂ’s blistering attack, he was in for a long night.
And he knew it.
Pacquiao pummeled Barrera from pillar to post. It was a beating so thorough, that the outcome was decided by the fifth round.
Unfortunately for the “Baby-Faced Assassin,” it went another six frames.
Finally, Barrera’s cornermen – specifically his brother – stopped the bloodletting in the 11th. 
 
Since then, of course, Pacquiao has risen to god-like status in the Philippines. And he has gained a reputation as a Mexican slayer – beating Barrera and Tijuana’s Erik Morales (twice) in spectacular fashion.
Mexico CityÂ’s Juan Manuel Marquez lasted the distance with Pacquiao, earning a draw after being dropped three times in the first round. And Morales earned a spirited decision over Pacquiao in 2005.
Those are the only detours on the Pacquiao Express over the past four years.

Now, though, the circumstances seem to have flip-flopped for Pacquiao-Barrera 2. Now, it’s Pacquiao who is being questioned – everything from his lifestyle to his dedication to boxing. His training schedule has been impeded by a strange, impulsive penchant for flying back and forth from America to the Philippines at the drop of a hat. And much of his time early in 2007 was spent in the political arena, when he was running for a Filipino congressional seat. He also sings, and recorded an album.
Even his respected trainer, Freddie Roach, is on record stating his annoyance with PacquiaoÂ’s erratic behavior.

In the ring, he began to show chips in his armor back in April, when he struggled with the ordinary Jorge Solis before stopping him in round eight.

Barrera, meanwhile, has enjoyed a tranquil, productive training camp. For the first time since his rubber match with archrival Morales in 2004, Barrera seems to be focused and determined – whereas he seemed to be going through the motions in his last fight, a decision loss to Marquez in March.

He also looked unprepared in his May 2006 decision over Rocky Juarez.

He says you can attribute those lackluster performances to boredom. Marquez and Juarez just didnÂ’t get his juices flowing.

Pacquiao, though, is different. Barrera has been seething about that loss for four years – upset that fate dealt him such an unfair blow. He has vowed to change the result forever – or go out on his shield.

And when that fiery Barrera shows up, look out. Just ask Morales and “Prince” Naseem Hamed.
 
RECIPE FOR AN UPSET?
 
Look for Barrera to use MarquezÂ’s blueprint for success. HeÂ’ll try to frustrate Pacquiao with jabs and smart movement. And when Pacquiao gets close, heÂ’ll sneak in quick, short punches before tying him up. Barrera will do all he can to save his 33-year-old, Hall-of-Fame legs from Hurricane Manny.

In the end, the question is whether Barrera will have the chin to survive Pacquiao’s power, the stamina to sustain a brilliant attack over 12 rounds, and the will, at his old age, to get through a grueling fight. 
They say every great fighter has one great fight left in him. And BarreraÂ’s primed to give that kind of special, motivated performance.
Only, this time, Pacquiao – more civilized and less buzzsaw – will be more cooperative. Upset!

Barrera by split decision.
 
R.I.P, RICARDO

ItÂ’s hard to think of Pacquiao and Barrera without thinking of Ricardo Lujan, the El Pasoan who lost his life in a car accident while returning from the first Pacquiao-Barrera fight in San Antonio on Nov. 15, 2003.

He had been helping HBO with its production of the fight.
Ricardo was a huge fan of the sport, and participated as a fighter, promoter and just about everything else in between. More than that, though, he was just a good guy.

Hope you enjoy the rematch, Ric. I’m sure you’ll be watching. 

M

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