By Frank Lotierzo
Three division champ Marco Antonio Barrera (61-4, 42 KOs), cleared the path tonight for another big fight with his win over IBF Super featherweight champion Robbie Peden (25-3, 14 KOs). Barrera, known as the "Baby Face Assassin," is looking to exact revenge over Manny Pacquiao, the last fighter to defeat him almost two years ago. However, for that to happen Pacquiao must beat Barrera longtime rival Erik Morales, in their upcoming rematch, scheduled for January 2006.
Three division champ Marco Antonio Barrera (61-4, 42 KOs), cleared the path tonight for another big fight with his win over IBF Super featherweight champion Robbie Peden (25-3, 14 KOs). Barrera, known as the "Baby Face Assassin," is looking to exact revenge over Manny Pacquiao, the last fighter to defeat him almost two years ago. However, for that to happen Pacquiao must beat Barrera longtime rival Erik Morales, in their upcoming rematch, scheduled for January 2006.
Barrera dominated Peden on route to unify the WBC and IBF super featherweight titles to come within one step of unifying the division. It was jabs and hard right ahnds from the first round to the finish, as Peden had no answers. Although Peden was 13 pounds heavier at the start of the fight, but the weight advantage made no difference on the fight. There were no opening given to Peden to adjust to Barrera's jab, as Marco peppered him every time Peden tried to get offensive.
The judges scored the fight 118-109, 118-08 and 118-108, all for Barrera.
For Barrera, there is only one thing left for him to do, secure a rematch with Pacquiao. In his 16 year pro career, he can make claim to some very noteworthy accomplishments. Starting with winning world titles at 122, 126 and 130. One of the greatest things that can ever be said about any champion is that he fought and beat the best fighters in his division during his era. Something that exemplify Barrera's career and skill. Barrera's list of opponents reads like a who's who list of world class fighters and champions. Fighters the likes of Kennedy McKinney, Junior Jones twice, Kevin Kelly, Jesus Salud, Paulie Ayala, Erik Morales three times, Naseem Hamed and Manny Pacquiao can be found on it.
Something else that can be said with impunity about Barrera is, he's a versatile fighter. Barrera has changed his style in world title bouts in order to give himself the best chance to win. How many other fighters can that be said about? How many other champions or title holders can defend their title fighting as the attacker, swarming their opponent as the aggressor to win. And then move up in weight to claim the title, fighting as a counter-puncher stepping back and away from their opponent to score? I'll tell you, not many, but Marco Antonio Barrera is among one of the select few. The ability to such against other world class fighters is nothing short of remarkable and isn't appreciated to the degree it should.
Barrera has exceeded the expectations he had for himself before making his pro debut. He's only lost to other world champions. One of them Erik Morales, who he fought three times and won their series 2-1. All that can remain as a goal for him is another shot at Pacquiao. In their 2003 fight, Pacquiao dominated Barrera, who hardly looked like one of the most feared featherweights of the era. For a majority of the fight, Barrera was nullified and had no answers for the southpaws power and hand speed. Finally, after being knocked down twice, his cornerman and older brother Jorge, climbed into the ring to end the fight at 2:56 of the eleventh round.
After the fight Barrera said, "I couldn't see a lot of things. I wasn't really concentrating. I wasn't feeling like myself, I don't know what went wrong but it wasn't me." Since the fight, Barrera has looked more than solid and Pacquiao has lost to Erik Morales. All that the "Baby Face Assassin," needs is for Pacquiao to turn the table on Morales and most likely Barrera will get his chance to turn the table on Pacquiao.
Mosley Beats Cruz On Undercard
Now that he's handed Jose Luis Cruz (32-1-2) his first career defeat, en route to winning his second fight in a row on his comeback, Shane Mosley hopes a possible title shot is next. Mosley, whose style can best be described as a boxer/puncher, fights with the mind set of a puncher once in the ring. A strategy that cost him his undisputed junior middleweight title against Winky Wright last year. Eight months later, Mosley put up a better fight, but lost a majority decision to Wright in the rematch. Losing the rematch led him to drop back down and campaign in the welterweight division. Fighting at 147 enables Mosley to utilize his speed, reflexes and combination punching instead of having to rely on power to win.
For Barrera, there is only one thing left for him to do, secure a rematch with Pacquiao. In his 16 year pro career, he can make claim to some very noteworthy accomplishments. Starting with winning world titles at 122, 126 and 130. One of the greatest things that can ever be said about any champion is that he fought and beat the best fighters in his division during his era. Something that exemplify Barrera's career and skill. Barrera's list of opponents reads like a who's who list of world class fighters and champions. Fighters the likes of Kennedy McKinney, Junior Jones twice, Kevin Kelly, Jesus Salud, Paulie Ayala, Erik Morales three times, Naseem Hamed and Manny Pacquiao can be found on it.
Something else that can be said with impunity about Barrera is, he's a versatile fighter. Barrera has changed his style in world title bouts in order to give himself the best chance to win. How many other fighters can that be said about? How many other champions or title holders can defend their title fighting as the attacker, swarming their opponent as the aggressor to win. And then move up in weight to claim the title, fighting as a counter-puncher stepping back and away from their opponent to score? I'll tell you, not many, but Marco Antonio Barrera is among one of the select few. The ability to such against other world class fighters is nothing short of remarkable and isn't appreciated to the degree it should.
Barrera has exceeded the expectations he had for himself before making his pro debut. He's only lost to other world champions. One of them Erik Morales, who he fought three times and won their series 2-1. All that can remain as a goal for him is another shot at Pacquiao. In their 2003 fight, Pacquiao dominated Barrera, who hardly looked like one of the most feared featherweights of the era. For a majority of the fight, Barrera was nullified and had no answers for the southpaws power and hand speed. Finally, after being knocked down twice, his cornerman and older brother Jorge, climbed into the ring to end the fight at 2:56 of the eleventh round.
After the fight Barrera said, "I couldn't see a lot of things. I wasn't really concentrating. I wasn't feeling like myself, I don't know what went wrong but it wasn't me." Since the fight, Barrera has looked more than solid and Pacquiao has lost to Erik Morales. All that the "Baby Face Assassin," needs is for Pacquiao to turn the table on Morales and most likely Barrera will get his chance to turn the table on Pacquiao.
Mosley Beats Cruz On Undercard
Now that he's handed Jose Luis Cruz (32-1-2) his first career defeat, en route to winning his second fight in a row on his comeback, Shane Mosley hopes a possible title shot is next. Mosley, whose style can best be described as a boxer/puncher, fights with the mind set of a puncher once in the ring. A strategy that cost him his undisputed junior middleweight title against Winky Wright last year. Eight months later, Mosley put up a better fight, but lost a majority decision to Wright in the rematch. Losing the rematch led him to drop back down and campaign in the welterweight division. Fighting at 147 enables Mosley to utilize his speed, reflexes and combination punching instead of having to rely on power to win.
Cruz was physically bigger, but Shane used speed and quick movement to outclass the inexperienced Mexican fighter. The scores were 98-92, 96-94 and 97-93, all for Shane Molsey.
After winning titles at lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight, the 34 year old Mosley is looking to fight undisputed welterweight champ Zab Judah. Judah hasn't fought since making his first successful title defense this past May. Judah has talked about possibly defending his title against WBC junior welterweight champ Floyd Mayweather Jr, but the two camps couldn't agree on the contract terms. Since the Mayweather fight fell through, Judah hasn't signed to make the second defense of his title.
Judah accused Mosley of jumping over the junior welterweight division to avoid him back in 2000 when Mosley relinquished his lightweight title to fight as a welterweight. Judah's claim is so lame, it leads me to think Kostya Tszyu knocked some sense out of him back in 2001 when he stopped him in the second round. Mosley has never ducked any fighter and has faced three world champs in Oscar De La Hoya, Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright, who are bigger and better than Judah. In fact, Mosley is the perfect opponent for Judah to defend his title against next.
In Mosley, Judah will be facing a fighter who is more accomplished than any fighter Zab has ever faced, including himself. On top of that, Judah-Mosley is a fight that has been talked about in boxing circles for years. Matching two highly skilled champions who have never lost a non-title bout in their career would be a big draw. With the welterweight and junior middleweight division two of boxing's more competitive divisions, Judah-Mosley is a no brainer. It makes sense for both fighters and it's a fight where a good case could be made to support either fighter winning. The only type of fights that serve and contribute to the sport of boxing.
After winning titles at lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight, the 34 year old Mosley is looking to fight undisputed welterweight champ Zab Judah. Judah hasn't fought since making his first successful title defense this past May. Judah has talked about possibly defending his title against WBC junior welterweight champ Floyd Mayweather Jr, but the two camps couldn't agree on the contract terms. Since the Mayweather fight fell through, Judah hasn't signed to make the second defense of his title.
Judah accused Mosley of jumping over the junior welterweight division to avoid him back in 2000 when Mosley relinquished his lightweight title to fight as a welterweight. Judah's claim is so lame, it leads me to think Kostya Tszyu knocked some sense out of him back in 2001 when he stopped him in the second round. Mosley has never ducked any fighter and has faced three world champs in Oscar De La Hoya, Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright, who are bigger and better than Judah. In fact, Mosley is the perfect opponent for Judah to defend his title against next.
In Mosley, Judah will be facing a fighter who is more accomplished than any fighter Zab has ever faced, including himself. On top of that, Judah-Mosley is a fight that has been talked about in boxing circles for years. Matching two highly skilled champions who have never lost a non-title bout in their career would be a big draw. With the welterweight and junior middleweight division two of boxing's more competitive divisions, Judah-Mosley is a no brainer. It makes sense for both fighters and it's a fight where a good case could be made to support either fighter winning. The only type of fights that serve and contribute to the sport of boxing.
