05.10.07 – By Francisco Cairol: Many people think tha Manny Pacquiao will completely steamroll Marco Antonio Barrera this Saturday. While that is understandable, specially when one remembers their first fight, I think that’s wrong. I have a feeling Barrera wasn’t at his best on that first fight. You can see he was flat and listless although that takes nothing away from Pacquiao’s total dominance. This time, I think it’s Pacquiao who isn’t at his most focused. As a matter of fact he didn’t look that into it when he fought Oscar Larios or Jorge Solis..
He was very lackadaisical in both fights. I also think Morales wasn’t at his best on their last two fights. Thats not to take anything away from Pacquiao. Even if Barrera and Morales (in their last two fights) weren’t at their best it is not his fault. He did what he had to do and in spectacular fashion. As a matter of fact, Morales went on to give a great demonstration in his next bout after Pacquiao against David Diaz for the Lightweight championship in a fight many people thought he won.
Manny’s awe inspiring punching power and effective aggression can also make one forget that he can be out-boxed. Barrera was out-boxed by Juan Manuel Marquez after he inflicted those three first round Knockdowns and he was out-boxed by Morales in their first fight and the first couple of rounds of their second fight.
Can Barrera out-box Pacquiao? When Barrera is on he is a master boxer. He is without a doubt one of the top five greatest Mexican champions ever…and that’s saying quite a lot! He is in the good company of names like Julio Cesar Chavez, Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Salvador Sanchez etc. How much of a toll have all the ring wars over the years taken on him? It’s hard to tell but most will agree he is winding down. He hasn’t looked that great lately. He got a bit tired in the late stages of his last Morales fight, the only one to be scored correctly in my opinion, went life and death with Juarez the first time, easily out-boxed Juarez the second time and lost a close somewhat controversial decision to Marquez.
I have a feeling that Barrera has been training intensely and still has one last great bout in him. Many great champions reach back for that one last hurrah and manage to turn back the clock. Every time Barrera has been counted out, After defeats to Junior Jones and Pacquiao, he has come back impressively. That coupled with a, it seems, less than 100% focused Pacquiao will make for a very competitive bout. While I don’t have a crystal Ball and I haven’t had much luck predicting fights this year, I will go out on a limb and predict a Barrera victory by decision in a close fight. I am just not going to put any money on that! Seriously if Pacquiao disposes of him easily I’ll happily admit I’m wrong and proceed to eat some crow! As always, I’m just hoping for a great fight.
P.s. I am glad my pound for pound article created a lot of debate in the comments section. Any list of that kind will always be very subjective so I don’t mind anyone disagreeing with me, that’s part of the fun! So thanks to everyone who reacted to it!