Mismatch For Marco

10.04 - By Jeff Day: The world's premier featherweight, Marco Antonio Barrera defends the true World Featherweight Championship this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, against former WBC Champion Kevin Kelley.

Seven or eight years ago the fight may have been competitive, but now it looks like a cynical piece of matchmaking. Kelley, hasn't been the same since his up and down war with Naseem Hamed back in December 1997. Kevin was flattened in the fourth round in an explosive affair at Madison Square Garden.

Since then his record is 7-3. Hardly awe inspiring when you are about to face arguably the best featherweight of the last decade, especially at the age of 35 and after 54 fights. Barrera comes into the fight with an excellent 56-3 (39 inside schedule) record and does not appear to be slipping just yet. At 29, the Mexican is more boxer than slugger these days. It may make him less exciting, but it is more conducive to a longer career.

Marco is coming off a clear points win over Johnny Tapia in November 2002, a man who would, in turn, be a hot favourite to clearly beat Kelley.

Barrera has been a professional since November 1989 and was a former Mexican and NABF Super-flyweight champion. He won the WBO Bantamweight Title from Daniel Jimenez in March 1995 and made eight successful defences. He saw off challenges from the likes of Agapito Sanchez, Eddie Croft, Kennedy McKinney (a real war) and Jesse Benavides before running into an inspired Junior Jones.

The old saying that "Styles make fights" appeared to be very much the case in the Jones fight back in November 1996. Marco could not get past the Jones jab and was floored twice, before his corner entered the ring to save the champion from further punishment. Consequently, the result was recorded as a fifth round disqualification loss for Barrera. In his 44th fight, Marco had met defeat.

Five months later and the rematch in Las Vegas saw the Mexican have terrible problems adapting to Junior's style again. This time there was no controversy: Jones won a clear points decision. Just as Vernon Forrest seems to have Shane Mosley's number, the American appeared to have Barrera's.

Before the Jones fights, Barrera was deemed the natural successor to Julio Cesar Chavez as Mexico's new boxing hero. After, it appeared that the Mexican had been grossly overrated and would never be held in such high esteem again. How times have changed.

Four fights later and Marco was again boxing for the WBO's Super-Bantamweight bauble. Fortunately, he was now facing Britain's Richie Wenton and not Junior Jones. By British standards Wenton was a good fighter. However, after four one sided rounds, the Mexican hero had reclaimed his belt.

Frank Warren enticed Barrera to London to face British, Commonwealth and European Bantamweight champion Paul Lloyd. Lloyd was as brave as they come and was involved in some cracking fights in his career, but it was like watching a lynching, as Barrera took Paul apart in one round in April 1999.

After two more wins came the much-anticipated meeting with fellow-countryman, Erik Morales. For once, the fight itself was even better than the pre fight hype. With each man taking turns to rock the other, Marco was adjudged the loser by split decision in Las Vegas in February 2000. It was a very controversial decision, not to mention the sort of fight that shortens careers.

Marco returned with three wins, but looked less than invincible. This may have been what persuaded Britain's Naseem Hamed to step up to the plate to meet Barrera. However, this would be a gross mis-calculation by Hamed and his people. The Marco Antonio Barrera that showed up was not the one expected. Hamed had assumed Barrera would be the aggressor and be easy to hit as he came forward. As we all now know, the Mexican decided to counterpunch and box. It was a masterful, if not an exciting, display and Hamed looked a complete novice for most of the fight. "The Prince" suffered his first defeat after 35 straight wins in June 2001. The fight was for the IBO Featherweight

With Marco being in demand once again, the natural fight was the rematch with Morales. After one tune up, a victory over Enrique Sanchez, Barrera met Morales again. But this "New" Barrera boxed more than he had in the first fight. There was less toe to toe action than last time. At the end of twelve rounds it was Morales who appeared the winner. This time, fortune favoured Barrera and he was given a unanimous decision.

That was in June last year. The only bout for Marco since has been the easier than expected points win over Johnny Tapia.

Kelley began his pro career in September 1988. The amiable Kelley has always been good for a quote and it is hoped he does not come to harm on Saturday night. Kevin went unbeaten in his first 41 fights and learned his trade he old fashioned way. A southpaw with fast hands and good power, he was very exciting to watch.

Before winning the WBC Featherweight Title, Kelley beat, among others: Harold Warren, Rafael Zuniga and Troy Dorsey. All good, solid pros. The fight with Dorsey was unforgettable, as each fighter threw dozens of punches each round for 12 rounds.

When Kelley won the title in December 1993, he took it from Gregorio Vargas of Mexico. Vargas had looked superb win winning the title from Paul Hodkinson of Britain eight months earlier. Kelly took the crown in seven rounds.

Unfortunately for the American, he would hold the crown just over a year before another Mexican, Alejandro Gonzalez stopped him in ten rounds in Texas.

Despite that defeat, Kelley has boxed in decent company since as follows: Clarence Adams (D10), Louie Espinoza (W12), Derrick Gainer (W KO 8 and L10), Jesus Salud (W12), Naseem Hamed (KO by 4), Hector Velasquez (W10), Benito Rodriguez (L10) and Erik Morales (KO by 7). The fights with Adams, Espinoza, Gainer (the first Time) and Salud were for the WBU Featherweight belt - for what that's worth.

The Morales defeat was in September 2000. He did not fight in 2001 and came back with three low-key wins in 2002. He was a fabulous fighter, but that was some years ago. His style may cause Barrera a few problems for a round or two, but it's difficult to envisage any other outcome than a one-sided beating for the New Yorker.

Barrera's body shots should take a painful toll and by the fourth round and I expect the referee to come to Kelley's rescue.