By James Slater: Just like his countrymen Israel Vazquez and Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera is unable to call it quits and walk away from boxing. Still hoping to beat former archrival Morales to it when it comes to making boxing history as the first Mexican to win world titles in four different weight classes, Barrera takes a stay-busy fight this coming Saturday in Guadalajara.
The future Hall of Famer’s opponent will be Jose Arias of The Dominican Republic. Sporting a 15-1(9) pro record that looks good on paper, Arias’ age is the one stat that fans will point to. Arias is six years older than Barrera at age 43, and he himself is on the comeback trail. Inactive from September of 1999 to May of 2010, Arias has won his last seven by quick KO. However, as good as that may appear to be, all seven comeback opponents Arias faced had losing records. Unless he’s able to come out and catch a slow-starting Barrera with a big punch, the older man figures to lose this one; possibly by a wide margin.
But while Barrera – who last fought in June of last year when he decisioned Adailton De Jesus at light-welterweight – is expected to win on Saturday, he may not stop Arias. Beaten just once, on points, Arias could well last the scheduled ten-round distance against “The Baby Faced Assassin.” Maybe Barrera is actually hoping to get some rounds under his belt, as he readies himself for one last shot at a world title (the WBC lightweight belt currently held by Humberto Soto most probably).
But how faded is Barrera, 66-7(43), these days? We don’t know for sure, but Marco didn’t look all that good in his last meaningful fight, when he lost a 5th round TD against Amir Khan. As is the case with Morales and Vazquez, most fans would prefer to see Barrera walk away with his dignity and his reputation intact. Yet he continues to fight and diehard fans still turn out to watch the all-time great do so.
In reality, Arias, despite his flattering record, is one of the worst opponents Barrera will have been matched with his entire career. Never has the Rhode Island-based Rias faced as classy a fighter as Barrera, and even though he is way past his best here in 2011, Marco will surely have way too much for him at the weekend. But what good will a win do Barrera, aside from maybe give him a few rust-removing rounds of action?
Barrera has stated that this year will be his final year in boxing. Can he win a piece of the lightweight title? Nothing that happens in the ring on Saturday is likely to give us an answer.