By Jason Sardelis: March 14th, M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom: The “Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, a veteran twenty eight title fights and 72 professional bouts total could have taken a page from fellow Mexican American fighter Robert “The Ghost Guerrero.” Just last week March 7th fighting on HBO’s Boxing After Dark from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Guerrero 23-1-1, 16 Ko’s took on Daud “Chino Latino” Yordan, 23-0, 17Ko’s for the NABO junior lightweight title..
In the second round of their championship fight Guerrero received a deep gash over his right eye from an accidental clash of heads. The blood was free flowing and dripping directly into his eye blinding him. Guerrero immediately made sure that referee Jon Schorle was aware of the cut and continued on.
Once Guerrero realized he was going to be severely handicapped by his lack of vision he again brought it to the referee’s attention leading to the subsequent doctors stopping of the fight ultimately called a no decision.
In comparison 35 year old Barrera, now promoted by Don King arrived in Manchester with a forty person entourage minus his usual cut man Rudy Perez for his WBA, WBO Lightweight Title fight with 22-year-old Amir Khan 20-1, 15 Ko’s. Early in the opening round Barrera suffered a severe cut on the left side of his head just below the hair line from an accidental clash of heads which left Khan with a small cut over his left eye. As the round continued it was evident by Barrera’s red painted face the cut would be come a factor. Barrera’s corner did not appear prepared to deal with the cut. In the fourth round the fight was examined by the ring side physician and Barrera did not appear to protest out loud. The fight continued and the action was again called to a stop and after his second exam the doctor advised referee Dave Parris to top the fight.
The cut was a large deep gash from the start and should have been stopped immediately. There was a constant shower of blood and no major difference between rounds four and five. The only change now the fight would go to the scorecards where Khan was clearly in charge.
Some prudence in Barrera’s corner or maybe a little less machismo on the part of the seven time world champion referee Parris would have addressed the severity of the cut and called it earlier.
Putting the cut aside Khan was sharp. His hand speed and new high defense would have caused Barrera problems with two eyes. He used a snapping triple jab and sharp right hands putting Barrera on his heels. The cut was a factor but even in a no decision Khan would have proved he belongs at the top with the world top lightweights. Maybe a no decision should have been the call but it would serve only to give Barrera one more shot. No one can deny the quality Freddie Roach has brought to Team Khan.