05.09.07 – By Geoffrey Ciani: Manny Pacquiao entered the big-time with his upset victory over Marco Antonio Barrera nearly four years ago. It was an awesome display of ferocious power as Pacquiao’s relentless style proved too much for the Mexican warrior. With only seconds remaining in the eleventh round, Barrera covered-up against a barrage of punches which prompted his corner to stop the assault.
The boxing world was left in shock. That anyone could dominate someone of Barrera’s caliber with such ease was unfathomable at the time. In a sport often defined by the improbable, it appeared we witnessed a passing of the torch. Indeed, many observers marked this as the sudden end for one fighter and the rising stardom of another.
Following the loss, even members of his own team expressed a desire for Barrera to hang up the gloves, but the proud warrior had something left to prove. Seven months later, Barrera squared off against long-time veteran, Paulie Ayala. He looked good and proved he was still a skilled technician capable of outboxing quality opposition. In fact, he became the only boxer to ever stop Ayala inside the distance, having twice dropped him in the process.
Despite the strong effort against Ayala, it still appeared that Barrera’s best days were behind him. Looking good against the crafty vet was one thing, but avenging a loss against a menacing machine like Pacman was quite another. Be that as it may, Barrera hardly viewed his situation as the twilight of his career. He proved this by signing on for the rubber match against long-time nemesis, Erik El Terrible Morales.
Many observers questioned the wisdom of taking on a third bout against Morales, especially in light of his recent disaster against Pacquiao. In the end, Barrera proved his critics wrong, as he outworked and out-hustled his fellow Mexican for a decisive victory. Much like his winning efforts following back-to-back losses against Junior Jones some years earlier, Barrera successfully made the transition back to the upper echelon of the boxing elite.
Following the victory over Morales, Barrera continued his winning ways by posting victories against Mzonke Fana and Robbie Peden. Prospects of a rematch with Pacquiao lingered in the boxing community, but hopes of such a bout coming to fruition were put on hold after Barrera’s arch-rival scored a decision against Pacquiao. Incidentally, Barrera himself had predicted a Morales victory.
Last year, Barrera faced Rocky Juarez in a bout which proved more difficult than most anticipated. Originally announced as a draw, it was later discovered that a mis-tabulated scorecard actually had Barrera winning a close, split decision victory. A rematch was in order, and four months later, Barrera outclassed Juarez en route to a unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Morales would lose both the rematch and the rubber match against an extremely hungry Pacquiao, who proved once again, that he was a vicious force to be reckoned with.
The stage was finally set for the long-awaited rematch between Marco Antonio Barrera and Manny Pacquiao! Or was it?
The timing seemed perfect, but instead of staging the rematch (which made perfect sense), Barrera faced fellow Mexican pugilist, Juan Manuel Marquez who, incidentally, secured a draw against Pacquiao in the interim of Pac’s bouts against Barrera and Morales. The bout between Barrera and Marquez was competitive, but in the end, Marquez outworked Barrera for a unanimous decision that was probably closer than the official scorecards indicated.
That the loss against Marquez set the stage for the long-awaited rematch with Pacquiao is rather strange, but then again, this is boxing—a sport often defined by its own peculiarities.
Most observers aren’t giving Barrera much of a chance in this one, and for good reason. After all, since their first encounter some four years ago, Barrera has been in decline whereas Pacquiao still seems to be improving. Even still, it’s ill-advised to count-out an all-time great like Barrera, who no doubt has a trick or two left up his sleeve. If Barrera can keep his composure and prevent the boxing match from turning into a brawl, he may just have what it takes to score the most improbable of upsets.
For Barrera, is this the final stop in the path of redemption? Or is it the end of the line? Frankly, I’m not sure, but I cannot wait to find out.
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