Boxing

 

Barrera-Tapia Preview

By Ron Widelec

29.10 - If asked to list the top 10 most exciting fighters of last 10 years, most would place Marco Antonio Barrera and Johnny Tapia somewhere on that last. Both these fighters have been fighting at the top echelon of the sport, have been to the pinnacle and back, and have always put out there best efforts. That is why these two always seem to end up in "fight of the year" type fights. So you can't go wrong with November 2nd's match up between these warriors. It's a no brainer; two warriors, action type fighters, with great skills and experience, and a great deal of respect for each other. Maybe Ward-Gatti I won't be such a sure thing for fight of the year after all?

Barrera is currently at the peak of his career. A few years ago, it seemed that his prime had passed. With two losses to Junior Jones, Barrera was written off by many. Then after putting on a fight of the year with Erik Morales, and toppling the unbeaten Prince Naseem, Barrera has catapulted to the head of the Featherweight class.

Tapia, on the other hand, is almost certainly on the downside of his career. Although, he may still have enough in the tank to pull this one out. Tapia's "crazy life" has had its ups and downs, his career has followed. Tapia has been to the top of the game and back many times, and he now eyes Barrera as his last chance to reach to top, and pull in a massive payday. Last break it down.

Break Down

Physical: Barrera stands at 5'7 with a reach of 70 inches. Tapia is 5'6 with a 66 inch reach. Tapia is now 35 years old, while Barrera is only 28. Barrera has the solid advantage in this case. He is the bigger, stronger, and younger fighter.

Skill: Both fighters are extremely skilled. Each has shown the ability to switch from boxer to puncher, and back, whenever needed. Both men like to fight going forward, but can counterpunch if forced to. Tapia is the more athletic of the two, but age, and numerous tough wars in the ring, may have taken their toll on him. Neither fighter has any noticeable skill advantage.

Resumes: After going pro at 16 years of age, Barrera was able to win some regional Mexican titles. By 1995 he won the WBO world title at Super Bantamweight. He then lost the WBO title in 1997, only to regain it a year later. He then had a failed attempt to win the WBC title in 2000, but did win the IBO title in 2001. In 2002 Barrera "won" the WBC title but refused to accept it, instead opting for the RING magazine title, which he currently holds at the featherweight division. He is considered by most to be the top fighter at that weight, and a pound for pound top 10. He currently has a record of 53-3, with 39 wins by KO.

Tapia went pro in 1988. From 1990 to 1994 he went on to claim several fringe titles in the flyweight division. In 1995 he won the WBO super flyweight title. In 1997 he captured the IBF title as well. In 1998 he moved up to Bantamweight and won the WBA title at that weight. In 2000 he also won the WBO title at Bantam. And finally in 2002 he won the IBF title at featherweight. He has a record of 52-2, with 28 wins by KO.


Potent Notables:
Barrera has fought a slew of the top fighters in the lower weights. In 1995 he easily out pointed Agapito Sanchez. In 1996 and 97, he had two losing efforts against the highly skilled Junior Jones. In 2000, and in 2002, he fought Erik Morales. Both fights ended in contreversy, with each fighter taking one win, and one loss. He also TKOed Jesus Salud (2000) and Enrique Sanchez (2002) in 6 rounds. However, he is best known for easily out pointing Prince Naseem Hamed, and handing him is first loss.

Tapia has also fought many tough fighters in the lower weights, but as he began in the ultra-low weights, many of the names are unfamiliar, so we will skip to the better known fighters. Tapia is best known for his two battles with Paulie Ayala. In 1999 and in 2000 these two fought two very close matches with Ayala getting a controversial nod in both; the only two losses of Tapia's career. Recently Tapia had a high profile, and controversial win over Manuel Medina.

In all, Barrera has had a better level of opposition, but not by much. He does have a slight advantage in this area. He has also had more tough fights at these higher weights, as Tapia began his career several weights lower.

What have you done for me lately?

Barrera's last five bouts have been a win over previously undefeated Erik Morales in 2002. A TKO win over former champion Enrique Sanchez in 2001. In 2001 he also beat Naseem Hamed. In 2000 he beat Jesus Salud and Jose Luis Valbuena. Few fighters can boast so impressive a resume in recent bouts.

Tapia's last five bouts have been a win against Manuel Medina in 2002.Another over Edwardo Alverez (2002) in one round. He knocked out Cesar Soto in three rounds, and stopped Cuauhtemoc Gomez on cuts in six rounds in 2001. In 2000 he had a loss to current Jr. Featherweight champ, Paulie Ayala; Impressive, to say the least, but not enough to match Barrera.

Predictions:

This will be a very hard fought, close battle, for the first few rounds. Tapia will use his better speed to try to hop in and out and pot-shot Barrera, while Barrera should try to get in close and wear his opponent down. After the first 6 the fight will begin to favor Barrera. He is bigger, stronger, and younger, and will press the action. Tapia's battle-worn body will begin to slow, and Barrera will pick up the pace. By the championship rounds Barrera will have a serious lead on the cards, and Tapia will be left with two options. Either he will take it easy, knowing that the money is in the bank, and cruise to a decision loss, or his champion heart will take over, and he will push Barrera to his limit. I lean towards the latter option, Tapia has always shown himself to be a born champion, but in either case I don't think Tapia will have enough to pull it out. Look for a four or five point decision win, or TKO victory for Barrera in the late rounds.

Also read: Interview:Johnny Tapia | Marco Antonio Barrera | Jim De Pierro´s Barrera-Tapia Prediction


Barrera LA Workout Quotes

27.09 - They may be light as feathers, but there is nothing lightweight about the highly anticipated 12-round bout between two of boxing's biggest little men, four-time world champion Marco Antonio Barrera (55-3, 39 KOs) and five-time world champion Johnny Tapia (52-2-2, 28 KOs). The two boxing greats will collide in "La Batalla De Los Guerrero" ("The Battle Of The Warriors") on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino - The City of Entertainment, in Las Vegas. Tickets for the event, promoted by Forum Boxing, Inc., in association with the MGM Grand, are on sale at the Grand Garden Arena box office, and priced at $325, $225, $125, $75 and $50, not including service charges. Tickets, which also will be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations, are limited to eight per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: "It is always good for me to come back to Los Angeles, where the fans have always supported and treated me so well. Long before I became a world champion the first time and a lot of people heard of me, the fans of Los Angeles were by my side. This is where I started. Outside of Mexico, this has always been like my second home. I hope all my fans come see me fight Johnny Tapia on Nov. 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It is going to be a great fight.

"I leave Sunday for Big Bear where I will stay until the week of the fight when I go to the MGM. Some people think this will be an easy fight for me, but I am at the point of my career where there is no way I would underestimate Johnny Tapia or any other opponent. I expect and am preparing for Tapia to be at his best. I have a lot of respect for him. The first time I met him was when he fought my brother at the Forum. He knocked Jorge out in the second or third round, I think. But that fight has no bearing on our fight at all. It is not like I am out to get revenge for my brother. Once the bell rings, it is business as usual.

"I have enough incentive knowing that guys want to beat me now more than ever. That is why I prepare even harder and train even more seriously now than ever before. Now, I need to make sure I cover all my tracks. No detail is too small. All fights are important. Since I defeated (Naseem) Hamed, my confidence has been very high, but it also has made me hungrier. I know what is at stake each time I fight.

"It is a great to know that I have been accepted as a good fighter, but the credit should go to my trainer, Rudy Perez. He has been with me since my first amateur fight. I hope that someday he gets the recognition and respect he deserves. You will never find a more loyal guy. When I lost those two fights to (Junior) Jones, I could have been like a lot of boxers and blamed somebody else, maybe even got rid of my trainer. But it never crossed my mind. One, because I do not make excuses and, two, because we have always had like a father-son relationship. I really hope Rudy gets his due. He is a great trainer, but very underrated."


Tapia-Barrera Press Conference Quotes

18.09 - MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: "I have waited 10 years for people to accept me as a good fighter. I definitely feel more responsibility to the fans. Now, there is pressure on me to do well all the time, but it is a good kind of pressure. I feel very good and am looking forward to fighting Tapia. I want to fight the best, and he is a great champion. He will be very tough to beat, and is very aggressive. People who think this will be an easy fight are wrong.

"I will begin training in Big Bear on Sept. 28 and stay there until going to Las Vegas the week of the fight. I am excited to be back at the MGM again. I want to thank them for having me back. It has become my second home. Two of my biggest wins (against Naseem Hamed and Erik Morales) were at the MGM.''

JOHNNY TAPIA: "Barrera and I are good friends, but once the bell rings, it will be business as usual. I just hope and pray nobody gets hurt so we can be friends once the fight is over. I am excited about this opportunity. I have been involved in a lot of big fights, but I have never been an underdog like I am in this one. Being an underdog only adds to my motivation. I know he (Barrera) is going to try to come after me, and that I am going to get hit hard. It is up to me to box, stick and move, and do what I do best. If I stay focused, I will be okay.

"His (Barrera's) style is good for me. I like guys who go forward. And, Barrera throws wide punches. This is definitely a challenge for me to show I can still hang with the big boys. I have never ducked anybody in my life. Having Freddie Roach training me again is a plus. It is going to be a great fight.''

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