By James Blears
World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman is confident that when WBC Super Featherweight Champion Marco Antonio Barrera clashes with fellow Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Barrera will have a greater array of skills and adaptability options at his disposal.
Barrera has been a WBO fighter for most of his career, before winning a prized green belt. While Marquez has been a WBA and IBF Featherweight Champion.
Marquez-a gifted ring mechanic, is attempting to step up one division and win another title, just like his younger brother Rafael did, against popular and hard hitting fellow Mexican Israel Vazquez.
Don Jose commented: “Barrera has had many more tough challenges than Marquez. And Marquez has fought many bouts with second level fighters. So in that regard Barrera has an edge.
“Barrera can box and punch. While Marquez has a different style. He’s a boxer and boxes well, but he doesn’t get away from his technique. Without question he’s good, but he needs to be at his best if he wants to win the WBC title."
“If there’s going to be a change in tactics, the one that has more ability for change is Barrera.”
Both men train in Mexico City gyms which are only a couple of miles apart, know each other well, and have a lot of genuine mutual respect. So the build up to this fight has been devoid of any hype or verbal aggression.
Don Jose mused: “Mexican fighters talk with their fists. The World knows that. Those who insult and offend, often end up on the canvas. So fellow Mexicans are not aggressive in this way, but when they get into the ring…my God, they’re windmills!”
The winner is in line for a multi-million dollar clash against the scourge of Mexican fighters, Manny Pacquiao. Manny’s already carved a swathe of mayhem through Mexican boxing ranks, denting its halo of lower weight division superiority.