National Conference Call Transcript: Marco Antonio Barrera

24.10 - Four-time world champion Marco Antonio Barrera (55-3, 39 KOs) and five-time world champion Johnny Tapia (52-2-2, 28 KOs) will collide on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, 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.

Question: Antonio, how is training going?

Barrera: Everything is going very well. We are in the final stages of my training.

Question: Do you feel you were too cautious in your rematch with Morales?

Barrera: No, I do not think that I was too cautious. We had a fight plan that we were going to hit, but try to get hit from him as little as possible. So everything went well.

Question: Do you plan to be more aggressive against Tapia?

Barrera: I am planning to be more aggressive because Tapia is a different fighter. He will be throwing punches from round one, so I will have to be more aggressive.

Question: Have you seen Tapia at all up in Big Bear?

Barrera: I have yet to see him.

Question: Is there anything you have been working on in training to prepare for Tapia?

Barrera: I am putting a lot of work in getting into good physical shape because Tapia is the kind of fighter who will fight from bell to bell. I know I will have to be prepared.

Question: Have you been focusing on speed?

Barrera: I am working on speed and punching. I am throwing a lot of punches, and just general working.

Question: What do you think will be the deciding factor in this fight?

Barrera: The best man will win this fight. Tapia was the IBF champion until a few days ago, and he is coming off of a big win against Medina. The best guy in the best shape will win the fight

Question: What is your prediction?

Barrera: It is going to be a great fight and I hope everyone will enjoy it.

Question: Are you surprised that you are the heavy favorite in this fight?

Barrera: I never look at the odds. I always prepare myself 100 percent for my fights.

Question: Are you a fan of Tapia? Do you watch his fights?

Barrera: Yes, I am a Tapia fan. I have a very good relationship with him. He has come to many of my fights, and I have watched him on television. All of that will be put aside when the bell rings. We will go out there and do what we have to do, and then we will be friends again after that.

Question: Do you expect the fight to go the distance?

Barrera: Both fighters are prepared to go whatever distance the fight goes.

Question: What did you think when you found out you were going to fight Tapia?

Barrera: When I first found out I was fighting Tapia I was surprised. But, then I accepted it and started to go to work because that is what the people want to see.

Question: How do you compare Tapia to Morales in terms of style?

Barrera: They (Tapia and Morales) are different. Tapia is a warrior. He is a guy who comes to throw punches from bell to bell, and that is the kind of fight I am anticipating. Morales is more calculating.

Question: Do you think Tapia defeated Madina in their last fight?

Barrera: I saw the fight a few times. I do not see how Medina won the fight. Tapia applied the pressure in the fight, and threw a lot of punches. Tapia threw most of the hard punches.

Question: Why were you surprised when you found out you were fighting Tapia?

Barrera: Because I have a good relationship with Tapia, I was just surprised I was going to be boxing him. It makes good business sense because there are a lot of people that want to see this fight.

Question: Is there anybody in your career that compares to the style of Tapia?

Barrera: No, I have never fought a fighter with that kind of style.

Question: Now that you are the “people’s champion,” is there more pressure to win?

Barrera: Yes, there is a lot of pressure now. That makes me work harder and prepare even more.

Question: Do you think Hamed would like to fight you again?

Barrera: I really think Hamed wants a rematch because of the first fight. I would like a rematch, too. We will see what happens. We will see what Hamed does.

Question: Do you anticipate a different Tapia then the one who lost to Ayala?

Barrera: All fighters have different styles, so this will be a different fight.

Question: What do you have planned for the Tapia fight?

Barrera: Tapia is coming out prepared to exchange blows and I am prepared to fight him.