PRESS RELEASE: GUADALAJARA, MEXICO (September 4, 2007) -- Three-division world champion and future Hall of Fame shoo-in, MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA, has declared war on his opponent and nemesis, pound for pound superstar Manny Pacquiao. Barrera, who began his fifth week of secluded high altitude training in Mexico, is preparing to battle and dethrone the reigning "Fighter of the Year" in a 12-round super featherweight rumble which will take place in 32 days.
"I am not just fighting for personal revenge, I'm fighting for my country and my fellow Mexican fighters who have fallen victim to Pacquiao," stated a determined Barrera after today's workout. "I am training harder than I ever have. I want to beat Manny so badly I can taste it. This goes beyond being personal. For me, this fight is about restoring national pride!"
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico had to offer since 2003, including Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Barrera (TKO 11), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). The only “blemish” was a draw against Juan Manuel Marquez in 2004, where Pacquiao sent Marquez to the canvas three times in the first round.
Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KOs), from General Santos City, The Philippines and Barrera (63-5, 42 KOs), from Guadalajara, Mexico, square off Saturday, October 6 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Pacquiao-Barrera will be produced and distributed Live by HBO Pay-Per-View. beginning at 9 P.M. ET / 6 P.M. PT.
Remaining tickets are priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100. They can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at
www.mandalaybay.com or
www.ticketmaster.com.