By Ernest Gabion
On the heels of longtime rival Erik Morales turning in a spectacular effort against Marcos Maidana last Saturday, Marco Antonio Barrera spoke with Boxingscene.com regarding his thoughts on the aforementioned fight and the possibility of a fourth fight between the two Mexican warriors.
Barrera shares his thoughts about this and much more, including his pending free agent status, entertaining the thought of a rematch with countryman Juan Manuel Marquez, against whom he dropped a decision in 2007, and the thought of becoming Mexico’s first ever four-division champion.
BoxingScene.com: Did you happen to see the Morales fight? If so what were your thoughts about the fight?
Marco Antonio Barrera: Yes I did see it and it was a very good fight it almost looked like the Morales of old as his boxing skill proved to be better than Maidana's and I think that was the difference in the fight
BoxingScene.com : Knowing that you have two wins over a fighter who was very competitive with one of the top fighters at 140lbs, are you motivated to show that you also have great fights left?
MAB: In a way, yes. It makes me want to show what I can do as well. I believe I have a lot left and will show it once given the opportunity.
BoxingScene.com : Seeing how well Morales performed on Saturday, does the thought of a fourth fight with him intrigue you at all?
MAB: In the beginning, no. However, seeing how Morales got into shape and has his weight under control I would welcome a fourth fight with him. I think it would be like the past three we had together.
BoxingScene.com : Does it feel odd that you are seeing your biggest rival in Morales fighting under the promotional banner you once called home while you now fight for a promotional company Morales called home for so many years?
MAB: No, it doesn't seem strange at all. We all have to do whatever we do at times and if that means to fight for whomever, then that's fine. Besides, I am not actually with anyone at the moment.
BoxingScene.com : Can you elaborate on your fight status? I know you fought two months ago but it seems that your fight schedule has been erratic of late?
MAB: As of right now I have an uncertainty about my future because I am essentially a free agent. With both Top Rank and Fernando Beltran it was a handshake deal where we would go fight by fight and assess how things were after each fight.
BoxingScene.com : Does that mean there is even a possibility to see you back with Golden Boy? There are some key match ups with them that may include the likes of Morales, Robert Guerrero and even Juan Manuel Marquez.
MAB: To clear the air I never had a problem with Golden Boy. What they did was give me the chance to look elsewhere and I did but there isn't any animosity between myself and them and I would welcome a chance to fight with them as the promoter if it involved one of their big fighters.
BoxingScene.com : Does this mean we also may not see you on any Top Rank card soon? I know the rumor going around was an eventual fight with newly crowned WBA champion "Bam Bam" Brandon Rios. Is that still a possibility?
MAB: At this point I am willing to fight anyone I think that throughout my career I have never backed down from a challenge and if it gave me the chance of fighting for a fourth division world title I would welcome a fight with anyone, Rios included. With being a free agent, what this does for me is give me the freedom to choose how I want to end my career and what is best for me. I have goals in mind and do not have many fights left so I want to make sure I make the right choices.
BoxingScene.com : How many fights do you think you have left in you?
MAB: No more than three or four fights. I would consider a fourth fight only if the fight prior went well for me otherwise it would be three more.
BoxingScene.com : And would that be at 135 or 140?
MAB: If everything is where it's supposed to be then definitely 135. My goal is to win that fourth division title and be the first Mexican champion to win titles in four different divisions. However, a move to 140 would not be out of the equation if the circumstance were right. It would have to be a big fight though.
BoxingScene.com : Like a Morales or a Marquez…
MAB: Definitely; especially Marquez. My desire is to fight Juan Manuel Marquez again and show him who the better fighter is. In Marquez' heart he knows that fight could have gone either way and he needs to prove that he is better than me, which I don't think he is. Time is not on my side Ernie, so having the freedom of being a free agent allows me the luxury of choosing who I fight and right now I would love to fight him again. I know I would be the one with my hand raised. That way I can finish off my career with a fourth division title and a victory over Marquez.