Barrera declines Pacquiao rematch


THE specter of his manhandling at the hands of Manny Pacquiao continues to haunt Mexican ring idol Marco Antonio Barrera.

Moments after masterfully wresting the two super featherweight titles from archrival Erik Morales via a majority decision on Sunday, Barrera declined an offer for a return bout with the Filipino champion, according to American promoter Murad Muhammad.

In an interview by overseas phone call on Tuesday, Murad said Barrera’s camp was unwilling to face Pacquiao in a February rematch “because there were too many distractions before the [previous] fight” with the Filipino champion.

“His handlers also told me that his [Barrera’s] head was not right and he had a bad night [in fighting Pacquiao last year],” said Murad, adding that the Mexican’s camp proposed that “PacMan” take on World Boxing Council junior featherweight champion Oscar Larios instead.

“By then, they would consider a rematch sometime in September.”

Judging by the tenor of the Barrera camp, Murad said, “Barrera is still afraid of Pacquiao,” recalling the whipping that the Mexican received from the Filipino fighter when they clashed on November 15, 2003, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

He said that “there was no sense in fighting Larios in a bout for a smaller purse and one that wouldn’t do anything to advance Manny’s career. Even HBO [US cable giant Home Box Office] won’t agree. That’s crazy.”

Although he won convincingly over his archrival Morales in their rubber match, Murad noted that Barrera never even mentioned the name of Pacquiao as a possible foe, unlike great fighters like Muhammad Ali and Oscar dela Hoya, who usually publicly announced who they wanted to fight next.

“We’d be happy to give Barrera a chance to redeem himself but obviously he doesn’t want it,” Murad said.

American trainer Freddie Roach also said Barrera was “now the man” to take on Pacquiao in a rematch in February, saying Juan Manuel Marquez could wait.

HBO has signed up “Pacman” and Marquez to a rematch on February 26, with each splitting the $1.8-million purse.

Roach is in Davao City with Pacquiao, gearing the Filipino boxer for his tuneup match on December 11 against Fahsan 3K Battery at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Murad said if Barrera is willing, his ward could postpone his fight against Marquez, which would be a way at getting back at fellow promoter Bob Arum, who scuttled a potential Pacquiao-Morales fight by pushing for Morales-Barrera III.

“We can do the same thing,” said Murad of Arum, who also has Marquez under his wing.

But if Barrera won’t budge, the American promoter said Pacquiao will take on Marquez as planned in February while he would begin talks with the handlers of Morales for a fight sometime in July, then Barrera in September.

“Morales didn’t lose his integrity in the ring,” he said of the gallant stand of the dethroned champion.

On the other hand, Roach said Pacquiao is “the greatest featherweight in the world and Filipinos should be proud of him.”

“Manny is the most exciting fighter in America right now and his fight against Fahsan 3K Battery, a tough guy from Thailand will be a stepping stone to beating Marquez, Barrera, Morales and all the other fighters out there,” Roach said.

“Without a doubt Pacquiao is the best featherweight in the world and perhaps even the best junior lightweight. He is exciting and fun to watch and that is what people love and want to seem,” he added.

Pacquiao plans on sparring ten rounds Wednesday with national lightweight champion Fernando Montilla and junior welterweight Chris Saluday and 12 rounds Wednesday.

Both boxer and trainer are flying to Manila late Thursday for a Friday courtesy call on top officials of the sponsors Smart, Talk N’ Text and PLDT, who made the Fahsan fight possible along with Solar Sports and Mayor Freddie Tinga of Taguig, the host city for the fight.

On Saturday, Pacquiao will work out at the Wild Card Gym in BF Homes, Paranaque according to Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/dec/01/yehey/sports/20041201spo1.html

So the hype for the megabuck superfight for 2005 has began.

By all means, bang the drums for this rematch!

hopefully this match happens and mab doesnt turn *****.

I swear these papers from the Phillipines are a joke.

I swear these papers from the Phillipines are a joke.

They're just as biased as the mexican papers, english papers, australian papers, etc....

They're just as biased as the mexican papers, english papers, australian papers, etc....


do you see people from those countries posting those articles on the site and talking them up like there legit? cause i dont.

They're just as biased as the mexican papers, english papers, australian papers, etc....

Right you are sir!
I like how Barrera is "still afraid" of Manny because he won't sign to a rematch in Feb. No **** Sherlock he'd be nuts to do that seeing as how he just went thru another 12 brutal rds. against his rival!! He must be scared, why else wouldn't he want to fight again in two and a half to three month's time against a guy who tkoed him? That's plenty of time to heal up his body and go train for a couple of weeks for a rematch this important!!!!!!!!
Damn give the guy a freakin break, or at least let him enjoy that huge win for a week or so!

do you see people from those countries posting those articles on the site and talking them up like there legit? cause i dont.

touche lol But really your post was "I swear these articles from the philippines are a joke" So I just responded that they are as biased as the next articles with their respective articles. And yes, I've seen Puerto Rican articles, mexican articles, english articles, australian articles, people post them up all the time. Check your PM.

do you see people from those countries posting those articles on the site and talking them up like there legit? cause i dont.

In mexican circulation,in U.S. and in U.K. yes but not in the other countries because they are not that CRAZED boxing fan country at all. Not like in the Philippines, Mexico, U.K. and U.s.

Anyway no matter what . . . that rematch is bound to happen. MAB declined? :D Maybe for now . . . MAB is just getting wise and smart. He has just gone through a HELL of a battle . . . why plunge into another one immediately again . . . to think that he now has two belts at Super Featherweight. MAB needs to rest, clear his mind and plan to what direction he is going to stir his career.

NO RUSH! :cool:

In mexican circulation,in U.S. and in U.K. yes but not in the other countries because they are not that CRAZED boxing fan country at all. Not like in the Philippines, Mexico, U.K. and U.s.

Anyway no matter what . . . that rematch is bound to happen. MAB declined? :D Maybe for now . . . MAB is just getting wise and smart. He has just gone through a HELL of a battle . . . why plunge into another one immediately again . . . to think that he now has two belts at Super Featherweight. MAB needs to rest, clear his mind and plan to what direction he is going to stir his career.

NO RUSH! :cool:

why fight 3 months after an epic battle? barrera is a smart man not to take this fight. for one it's pretty ****ty of mannys camp to try and screw over jmm that way. mab needs to have more time. pac-man will get his chance......eventually.

I do not believe, that MAB does not want to fight with Pac Man!
He simply wants to have a rest from fight with Morales...

I think its Better 4 MAB 2 get in with PAc sooner than later cuz lets face it, MAB is not gettin any younger and the longer He bides time 4 the rematch with PAC, the lesser His chance on avenging his lost against Pac... thats my 2 cents

I would love to see MAB fight Pacman again, I mean who wouldn't? I don't think that MAB would be ***** for not fighting, But I think it still makes him look really bad to the public. He proved that he could beat Morales, so he figures that he doesn't want to lose what he earned by losing to Pacman. That's what I got out of it anyways, haha :o

Barrera has a lot to prove. He will most probably change his mind and decide to fight MannyPac by the middle of next year.

It was MAB's peoeple (GBP) who sent a feeler that don't want MAB to fight Manny and pointed to Larios who is also their fighter. They figured it's smarter to make money from both fighters by having LArios fight Manny, thus milking MAB longer since he already lost to Pacquiao in a lopsided fashion and a fight with him now may abruptly stop their cow from delivering those milk ($$$).

I still believe that the Pacman has MAB's number and there's a great chance that Pacquiao will dish him out again -- and if it happens it will be the end of the Great MAB's boxing career.

As for Murad -- he's one great salesman and he'll do his best to get Manny a blockbuster deal 'coz it also means a ton of moolah for himself.

MAB should listen to his heart and not to his promoters (Golden Boy) who, like all other promoters (Arum, King, Murad) are nothing more than just a bunch of greedy parasites! They don't want their goose who lay the golden eggs bar-b-cued, and thereby lose their source of mega-bucks! :rolleyes:

But MAB is a true warrior and I know he's dying to face Pacman and prove to the world once and for all that it was "not him" who was annihilated by Pacman the last time. :cool:

The only dreams that are lost are those that you don't fight for! - "Touched By An Angel"

Right you are sir!
I like how Barrera is "still afraid" of Manny because he won't sign to a rematch in Feb. No **** Sherlock he'd be nuts to do that seeing as how he just went thru another 12 brutal rds. against his rival!! He must be scared, why else wouldn't he want to fight again in two and a half to three month's time against a guy who tkoed him? That's plenty of time to heal up his body and go train for a couple of weeks for a rematch this important!!!!!!!!
Damn give the guy a freakin break, or at least let him enjoy that huge win for a week or so!

Thanks you, the Manny nutt slurpers are soo ignorant, nobody is afraid of anybody!

MAB should listen to his heart and not to his promoters (Golden Boy) who, like all other promoters (Arum, King, Murad) are nothing more than just a bunch of greedy parasites! They don't want their goose who lay the golden eggs bar-b-cued, and thereby lose their source of mega-bucks! :rolleyes:

But MAB is a true warrior and I know he's dying to face Pacman and prove to the world once and for all that it was "not him" who was annihilated by Pacman the last time. :cool:

The only dreams that are lost are those that you don't fight for! - "Touched By An Angel"

I'm also a MAB fan and there's no doubt that he is a brave and gallant warrior. But at this stage, he is a more matured and smarter person, and the best thing for to do is to milk the golden cow as slowly as possible. Retiremant is just around the corner and he is planning to retire in style, besides he is already a legend and has already achieved greatness of which only few Mexican boxers have ever done. But it's only befitting that before he retires to face gain the man who humiliated him into submission in front of his loving fans. Win or lose -- he's still a winner in my book!

Thanks you, the Manny nutt slurpers are soo ignorant, nobody is afraid of anybody!

Not a very nice thing to say, newbie!!! :mad:

of course he wouldnt want to fight him so soon.....because either way he would get stopped again.....so why not revel as much as long in the limelight...

Barrera has a lot to prove. He will most probably change his mind and decide to fight MannyPac by the middle of next year.

It will be the most correct decision for him!

this not a barera's fault..his management is..

The'll have no other choice but to fight each other sooner of later! It's where the money is for both guys. Depending on what happens with Pac-Morales! These three are at their best against each other, they are today's Leonard/Hagler/Hearns!

hey EastCoastBoxing..some typo's i think...
Record: 39-3-2 39 KO's (pacman's record..) on your blog.
39 ko?for 39 fights?wow....

The'll have no other choice but to fight each other sooner of later! It's where the money is for both guys. Depending on what happens with Pac-Morales! These three are at their best against each other, they are today's Leonard/Hagler/Hearns!Isn't it so sad the 80's had those 3 and we have these 3, it's a f*ckin' joke. While the NBA and NFL athletes are getting bigger and faster we are well it's definitely not progress...

Isn't it so sad the 80's had those 3 and we have these 3, it's a f*ckin' joke. While the NBA and NFL athletes are getting bigger and faster we are well it's definitely not progress...

The NBA was better in the 80's actually.

I've always had the feeling that Barrera doesn't wanna fight Pacquiao again. I think Pacquiao really hurt him that night, but I think Barrera's pride will get him back in the ring against Pacquiao to try and avenge the defeat.

Whether he's actually able to avenge it is another question.

I swear these papers from the Phillipines are a joke.I swear man those mexican "legends", all-time greats, what have you, get blown out by a one - dimensional fighter and a fighter who has fought far worse bums than those "legends" makes quick work of an "all-time" great, what a joke! Hey atleast someone has balls to step up and attempt to speak another language(national t.v.), I know it's harder to learn another language than throw a punch...

The NBA was better in the 80's actually.No sh*t, Magic's and Bird's era was definitely better in terms of basketball skill, those guys truly understood on how the game is played I'm talking about athleticism, I mean if you look at today's game compared to then the game is so much faster and you have a helluva lot more guys that are just jumping out of the building.

I swear these papers from the Phillipines are a joke.
Why dont you arrange an MAB exclusive interview yourself to know the real deal BRO....hehehehehehe

Thanks you, the Manny nutt slurpers are soo ignorant, nobody is afraid of anybody!
Ignorant people are the ones who make a comment like this... get out of your room and learn something before opening your mouth BRO...

We all know MAB knows hes just going to get ****ed again in their rematch.

MAB can't deal with guys with blazing fast hand speed like the PACMAN!!

PAC absolutely dismantled him I was in shock when it happened.

And for the record FightFan214, MAB is scared ****LESS of Pac. The rematch would make bags and bags of cash, but he's too scared because he knows hes going to get floored 3 times in the 1st just like last fight. LOL

MAB can't deal with guys with blazing fast hand speed like the PACMAN!!

PAC absolutely dismantled him I was in shock when it happened.

And for the record FightFan214, MAB is scared ****LESS of Pac. The rematch would make bags and bags of cash, but he's too scared because he knows hes going to get floored 3 times in the 1st just like last fight. LOL

Seems that you are confused. MAB was not floored 3 times in the first round. That was Márquez.

ROFL, my bad. I saw that fight where Pacman totally got robbed, but i also watched Barrera- Pac fight, Barerra got TKO'd didnt he?

AHhhh, I'm sure I saw it.

ROFL, my bad. I saw that fight where Pacman totally got robbed, but i also watched Barrera- Pac fight, Barerra got TKO'd didnt he?

AHhhh, I'm sure I saw it.

Barrera was dropped in round 3 I think and TKO'ed in round 11.

Barrera was dropped in round 3 I think and TKO'ed in round 11.
PAC made him taste his sick punches which comes out of the blue and MAB kissed the canvas THREE (3) times. MAB even had everything in his favor. The ref was a ****ing cheater in favor of MAB. Why? He scored a KO in the 1st round when it was a clear slip. He scored a slip somewhere in round 6-8 for MAB when it was in fact a KO from uppercut combinations from the PACMAN.

MAB had everything in his favor and still PAC took him to school and whoopped his lard ass bigtime.

No wonder MAB is too chicken **** of PAC. Now PAC is comfortable and well adjusted to his new weight division. He now has more moves and more really sick punches which will tear your head off and you won't even see it coming.

That's right MAB fans. PAC has lightning speed, lightning reflexes, MAB will look like an old man if they get paired again. Add that really, really, sick hooks, uppercuts, straights, and 4-5-6 combinations which take about 2-3 seconds (PAC's average handspeed is 4 power shots in under 2 seconds), at the end of the rematch, you will see a MAB being carried away in a stretcher and an invalid due to massive internal damage. lol!