By Jim Cawkwell.
Boxing no longer succeeds in drawing out the Hollywood A-list, but as Marco Antonio Barrera perplexed Rocky Juarez into defeat, the usual array of marquee fighters were strewn throughout the ringside area of the MGM Grand. Oscar de la Hoya sat front and center; a few rows behind, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Winky Wright joked, looking like two classmates poking fun at the rich kid; Bernard Hopkins appeared every inch the dapper sweet science sage, while Ricky Hatton’s threads turned heads with a fashion faux pas of pinstripe suit and sombrero. Boxing’s big players mingled throughout the night, enjoying the festivities but also scouting future possibilities. Friends can become foes for one night, if the money’s right.
De La Hoya’s instant credibility, plus the practice of signing great talent then consistently matching that talent in exciting, competitive fights quickly brought Golden Boy Promotions recognition at the top of the promotional food chain. From Saturday’s card on Mexican Independence Day, they move on to present “Mexican Glory” in El Paso, Texas on October 21.
Daniel Ponce-De Leon can usually be seen hovering over whichever unfortunate super bantamweight he happens to have separated from consciousness in defense of his WBO championship. Suited in grey, he spent Saturday afternoon announcing his involvement in the October card that also features Mexican standouts Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Lazcano.
On Saturday night, with fellow 122-pound titlist Israel Vazquez in action, De Leon sat at ringside very much on assignment; however, having recently signed a three-year extension to his Golden Boy contract, De Leon could bask in the company of the vast promotional empire that has come to embrace him.
“I’m very happy that I (re)signed with Golden Boy,” De Leon told this writer through an interpreter on the way back to his Los Angeles home. “I’m thrilled that they’re giving me the attention that I deserve. But I want to make this very clear: I want to be the bad guy in the movie from this point on. I’m going to destroy and wreak havoc on the 122-pound division and it’s going to start with (October opponent) Al Seeger. Now that I have Golden Boy fully behind me, I’m going all the way.”
But such harmony between fighter and promoter was not always so evident. Questions over the strength of the relationship were raised when Golden Boy were not swift to secure De Leon’s services for another term.
De Leon’s eventual world championship win received much less fanfare than expected as it was but one of a host of headlines as De La Hoya’s Mexico triumphed over Thailand in a boxing “World Cup.”
And when De Leon’s made-for-television style went missing from the live portion of an HBO broadcast this past May in favor of welterweight contender Paul Williams, one wondered whether Golden Boy were really looking out for him, and if De Leon himself had begun to seek offers elsewhere.
“Yes, there was some interest. I was looking to sign with Main Events at one point; but realistically, Golden Boy are a much bigger promoter. In my opinion, Main Events are good people; they handle their fighters very well. But at the end of the day, I looked at all of the options and decided to stay with the best promotional company on the planet: Golden Boy.”
A wise choice it would seem. And if Golden Boy held any lingering doubts over retaining De Leon’s signature, in July, on the under-card of the Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas rematch, De Leon provided a most persuasive argument.
After struggling to become champion against Sod Looknongyangtoy in the Mexico vs. Thailand challenge, De Leon found himself defending against the Thai fighter. Instead of the twelve round grind of their first fight, De Leon produced a straight left in the first round that may have knocked out any super bantamweight in the world. If not for the attentions of the ringside physicians, Looknongyangtoy might still be laying face down in the MGM Grand at this moment.
De Leon believes that performance was very much instrumental in the renewal of his contract.
“Obviously, it had to have been a big factor. It put me on the world stage as the best puncher in the division. That knockout was no accident. It is what I do to fighters and from this point forward, I am going to be the bad guy knocking out everyone that is put in front of me.”
And concerning missing out on the exposure that appearing on a live, nationally televised fight broadcast guarantees, De Leon offers the philosophy behind his approach to fighting.
“I don’t think that I will ever take a back seat to anyone now. It’s very simple: Anyone that sees me knows that I come to knock you the fuck out, or, I’m going to get knocked the fuck out; either way, it’s going to be a hell of a fight. With my fighting style, there is no in-between.”
Much expectation followed De Leon into his world title eliminator with the very capable Celestino Caballero. That disastrous loss exposed De Leon’s limitations when opposed by a talented boxer. He approaches this October fight still in the process of rebuilding his place in the consciousness of boxing fans as a destructive and irresistible force. He cannot afford a setback this time.
“Al Seeger is a very fine boxer. I have seen him and know that he has good skills and a style that may give me some difficulties. But I’m sparring with a kid that is turning pro in about three months - a Mexican national champion - and he has a lot of the same fighting characteristics as Al Seeger, so I feel very well prepared.”
He continues, “What really pisses me off is that Seeger just kind of came and landed a title shot, unlike myself who had to work for it. He’s (Seeger) been lucky up until now, but when he gets his ass into the ring with me his luck is going to run out, because he’s going to get his ass knocked out.”
Renewed and nevermore confident in his own powers, De Leon can place his faith in Golden Boy Promotions’ abilities to secure his defining fights. And he has no doubt as to the direction he wants to take.
“I have my hit-list and I’m looking down the road. Not that I’m looking past Al Seeger by any means, but when I destroy Seeger in this fight, afterwards, I have my sights set on Israel Vazquez who is just borrowing my title at 122-pounds; I’m going to go pick that up.”
A rematch between Vazquez and Jhonny Gonzalez may hinder the immediate possibility of that. But what of Vazquez’s patchy performance?
“I saw a lot of disabilities in Vazquez’s style, but also a lot of strengths. I did take notes and was doing my homework. I don’t want to go into it too much and give away what I saw.”
Clearly, De Leon considers himself to be on a collision course with the WBC champion, and has a personal message to impart.
“I want Israel Vazquez to know that the Tarahumara Indian that is Daniel Ponce is coming his way. I’m going to destroy Vazquez and take the belt that belongs to me.”
Not explosive enough for you?
“I also have Rafael Marquez in my sights. I want to do battle with Marquez at 122 because I know he’s coming up. I also want to fight any of the other so-called champions. I am going to be the only champion at 122-pounds and bring back the days of old when a fighter fought through the real top ten. I’m going to mow everybody down and collect all the belts.”
And if those plans are realized, what would lay beyond for one of boxing’s most exciting fighters?
“I am a natural 122-pound fighter. When I complete my plan of conquering and collecting all of the belts, then maybe I would consider moving up to 126-pounds. But realistically, I want to rule the 122-pound division for a long time because that is my weight and my optimum level.”
Like many of the noted punchers in boxing history, De Leon possesses a power renowned for its potency because it is driven by a full heart restless in search of greater glory. Such figures have always captured the people’s imagination. He looks to make victims of his opponents, and newfound supporters from his audience.
“Thank you very much to everybody. I just want to remind you all that I am the bad guy of the movie, the evil one. I am going to continue on and beat everybody and become the definitive champion. I thank all of the people for their support and I will continue fighting for their love and respect.”
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Barrera’s bluff paved the way to Manny Pacquiao. As my translator for this piece and BoxingScene.com’s own Sergio Martinez noted, Barrera could have gone to war with Juarez, lost and been criticized for not being smart enough to do what he actually did, which was preserve himself for his career finale. Humble pie time. You were right, amigo; Barrera was just too good.
But Juarez can take some credit. Before their initial match, Barrera spoke of fighting seven more times; afterwards, he gained a greater understanding of how and when his journey should end. Barrera’s unwillingness to engage Juarez whatsoever is an unlikely compliment for the younger man. Barrera needed to humiliate Naseem Hamed with science, and he did; there was expectation that he would prove that he could overcome Juarez’s physical dominance, but he didn’t even try.
Of course, a rematch with Pacquiao is attractive because of Pacquiao’s greater quickness and, unlike Juarez; he would be able to draw Barrera into a fight. How poetic, though, that the one obstacle between Barrera and the storybook ending to his career is none other than old nemesis Erik Morales.
Calculations the like of which Barrera made against Juarez vilify fighters in the eyes of the fans. Barrera sought only to live to fight another day; however, if Morales makes weight healthily, and Pacquiao plays pool, releases albums and makes movies assuming he can finish “El Terrible” without much argument, the most hateful rivalry in recent memory may have a fourth chapter.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached at