Barrera targets Israel Vazquez

By Mark Vester Former three-division champion Marco Antonio Barrera is still talking with Golden Boy Promotions about a possible return to the ring in the next couple of months. Barrera announced his retirement after losing a twelve-round decision to Manny Pacquiao last October. It took a few short months before Barrera began making plans for a return. Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, told Sportinglife that one of the main names discussed as a possible return opponent has been WBC super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez. Vazquez has a trilogy bout scheduled with Rafael Marquez on March 1. He would need to win for the Barrera fight to happen. He would also have to move up from 122 to 130-pounds. "Marco Antonio Barrera came to see me a few weeks ago and he indicated to me that he does want to come back and he does want to continue fighting," Schaefer said. "I have discussed with him some possibilities, one of which would be against Israel Vazquez (co-promoted by Golden Boy and Sycuan), who is preparing for a rubber match against Rafael Marquez. "If Vazquez were to win the potential for him to move up to fight Marco Antonio Barrera has been discussed, and that would be a very exciting fight." ........................................................................ All this is just talk, but i thought it was interesting article post up. But Vazquez is only thinking about Rafael Marquez! MArquez is too great of a fighter to be over looked.

Comments (14)

El_Chicano

Fight at 126 and I'm interested. Same here.

18y ago

AP6

I hope this fight doesn't happen. Vazquez should fight De Leon or Caballero next and work his way up to 130

18y ago

ELPacman

You think he can carry that power two classes higher? I really doubt that. I can see Barrera putting on his boxing shoes for this one. Vasquez cant overwhelm Barrera with his speed like Pac did. Yes, I believe he can. He's got a similar body to Manny in that it's like pure muscle, but natural muscle, no lifting needed. If he moves up, he'll be the smaller guy, but I still think the bigger puncher. His body should handle the weight increase fine. As far as a fight with Barrera, Vasquez doesn't need super speed, look at Marquez. Barrera is older now, and speed isn't the only thing that can give him trouble. Just throwing a lot and keeping Barrera busy tires him out pretty fast. Vasquez throws a lot and loads up his shots. I don't think he'll have trouble finding an older Barrera no matter how much Barrera moves. It's not like Marquez wasn't a complete stationary target for Izzy either. Izzy chases you down until you can't be chased no more. :boxing:

18y ago

THe_TRiNiTY

I don't see Barrera taking any fight for under 130 lbs. He is the big name fighter in this equation and he is smart enough to know that the higher the weight the better his chances are. I don't think he'd take the fight at 126, either. But, if I'm Izzy, I'm gonna be getting A LOT of money to step up 8 pounds, and fight a fighter of Barrera's caliber, even a faded version.

18y ago

Scott9945

If' I'm Izzy, I'm asking for it at 126. Because if he didn't take it at 130, I wouldn't blame him. Barrera should have stayed retired. Now that he's probably coming back, he should fight Jorge Barrios or Humberto Soto. Those are decent matchups. I would still watch this fight at 130, but I would expect the size thing to get to Izzy. I don't see Barrera taking any fight for under 130 lbs. He is the big name fighter in this equation and he is smart enough to know that the higher the weight the better his chances are.

18y ago

THe_TRiNiTY

18y ago

2501

That would make Vazquez as popular as he should be, if he were to win It sucks when it is at the cost of one of your favorite fighters. :(

18y ago

Kball15

That would make Vazquez as popular as he should be, if he were to win

18y ago

Antonio

Oh god, Izzy will KILL Barrera. Look at his energy, motivation, and power. It'll be Manny-Barrera 1 all over again. Izzy doesn't stop throwing power punches. Short compact shots that can be hard to see, especially his sneaky left hook. Barrera will be eaten up by the younger hungry lion. I wouldn't take this fight in a million years if I were Barrera. If you want to say good bye, say good bye already in your hometown against some bum. Not world class opponent like Izzy who destroys his opponents physically and mentally. You think he can carry that power two classes higher? I really doubt that. I can see Barrera putting on his boxing shoes for this one. Vasquez cant overwhelm Barrera with his speed like Pac did.

18y ago

ELPacman

18y ago

Scott9945

Vasquez is now trained by Rudy Perez, Barreras old trainer. Think it would be a bad fight for MAB, he hasnt got any more wars left in him and thats exactly what Vasquez would bring I think we have to wait to see how Izzy comes out of the Marquez fight before even speculating. He has a lot of wars behind him just like Barrera does.

18y ago

big_paulie

Vasquez is now trained by Rudy Perez, Barreras old trainer. Think it would be a bad fight for MAB, he hasnt got any more wars left in him and thats exactly what Vasquez would bring

18y ago

ippo

At 130 i think barrera can win a ud.Vazquez will be to small but he will be younger and will push a very fast pace.I just think barrera is too good of a boxer to lose to vazquez.

18y ago

Antonio

Fight at 126 and I'm interested.

18y ago