LAS VEGAS – Two warriors, one ring. Four fists, one great fight. Just 12 rounds, too close to call. So why not do it again. On Saturday, Sept. 16, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez will pick up where they left off in May as they determine once and for all the best 130-pound fighter in the world. “BARRERA-JUAREZ II – TOO CLOSE TO CALL” headlines a hard-hitting night of boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. HBO Pay-Per-View will televise the card beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST..
In the first bout between these combatants, held Saturday, May 20 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif., Barrera scored a hard-fought 12-round split decision over Juarez, a result that provoked weeks of discussion among fight fans who had varying opinions on the final verdict of the fight. However, one thing was not in dispute and that was the high level of fist skills and heart displayed by both men throughout the epic battle; one which simply begs for a rematch.
“This was a great fight between two great fighters in May and I am looking forward to seeing them do it again Sept. 16,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. “Marco wants to prove that the first win was no fluke and Rocky wants that title belt around his waist. This is a war in the making.”
“Barrera and Juarez both showed tremendous heart and courage in their first fight” said HBOPPV’s Mark Taffet. “The rematch has the sizzle and anticipation that every fight fan wants.”
“We are appreciative of the opportunity for a rematch and we believe Juarez will emerge victorious.” said Main Event’s Kathy Duva.
Marco Antonio Barrera (62-4, 42 KOs) has a commitment to excellence few fighters have today. A world champion in three weight classes with more than 60 wins to his name, it is hard to believe that the Mexico City native is only 32 years old. He fights with the vigor of a man 10 years his junior and that has led him to victories over the likes of Erik Morales, Johnny Tapia, Kevin Kelley, Paulie Ayala, Agapito Sanchez and Kennedy McKinney over the course of his more than 16-year pro career. And he is not done yet.
Rocky Juarez (25-2, 18 KOs), however, would like to join Morales, Junior Jones and Manny Pacquiao as the only fighters to beat Barrera. The 2000 U.S. Olympic Silver medalist came close to achieving this feat in May. An aggressive fighter with impressive power who holds wins over Guty Espadas Jr. and Zahir Raheem, Juarez would like to even the score with Barrera Sept. 16; it is a formidable task but one which he believes he is capable of fulfilling.
A stellar undercard will be announced at a later date.
Tickets, which are priced at $350, $250, $175, and $75, will go on sale today at noon. Tickets will be available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office and also will be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Tower Records/WOW!, Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Robinsons-May stores and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
The Barrera vs. Juarez II pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST, has a suggested retail price of $44.95, will be distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 56 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your daily Barrera vs. Juarez II fight week updates, log onto www.HBO.com.
For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, please visit our website at www.goldenboypromotions.com.