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By Cliff Rold - Nothing in boxing is ever 100-percent given. Manny Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KO, #1 at 130 lbs. Ring Magazine) defeating, probably knocking out, Marco Antonio Barrera (63-5, 42 KO, #3) for a second time this Saturday on HBO Pay-Per-View, live from Las Vegas, is pretty close.
Their first fight was a one-sided 11th round stoppage in favor of the Philippines favorite son in 2003. Four years later, Pacquiao, 28, appears still near his prime while Barrera, 33, has shown evidence of being well past his. Unless Pacquiao shows up distracted or out of shape, this one should be a thrilling but one-sided show.
Certainly the fans won’t react that way. There were some who felt Barrera earned a win in a decision loss against Juan Manuel Marquez in his last outing. Off that and his reputation, Barrera will have his believers, those who can’t help but think that the great old warrior can summon one last miracle. Boxing has long thrived on that sort of hope. It sells.
And ultimately that’s why we’re seeing this bout this weekend. It’s a business bout more than a competitive one and for Pacquiao, whose business has been mired in contract disputes between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, it at least gets him back in the ring. He’ll make a nice chunk of change for a fight that, when the names are read, sounds better than it is. In the long run, it isn’t the worst thing. This column isn’t about the long run.
Pacquiao’s run from 2003 to now has been a remarkable one. His first victory over Barrera made him the first, and only, man in history to capture the lineal World Flyweight (112) and World Featherweight crowns in his career. Coupled with his epic draw against Juan Manuel Marquez in 2004 and 2-1 victory margin in a series with the legendary Erik Morales from 2005-06, Pacquiao emerged as the only man in the race with Floyd Mayweather for pound-for-pound supremacy. In the eyes of some, including myself, he passed him in 2006. [details]
Their first fight was a one-sided 11th round stoppage in favor of the Philippines favorite son in 2003. Four years later, Pacquiao, 28, appears still near his prime while Barrera, 33, has shown evidence of being well past his. Unless Pacquiao shows up distracted or out of shape, this one should be a thrilling but one-sided show.
Certainly the fans won’t react that way. There were some who felt Barrera earned a win in a decision loss against Juan Manuel Marquez in his last outing. Off that and his reputation, Barrera will have his believers, those who can’t help but think that the great old warrior can summon one last miracle. Boxing has long thrived on that sort of hope. It sells.
And ultimately that’s why we’re seeing this bout this weekend. It’s a business bout more than a competitive one and for Pacquiao, whose business has been mired in contract disputes between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, it at least gets him back in the ring. He’ll make a nice chunk of change for a fight that, when the names are read, sounds better than it is. In the long run, it isn’t the worst thing. This column isn’t about the long run.
Pacquiao’s run from 2003 to now has been a remarkable one. His first victory over Barrera made him the first, and only, man in history to capture the lineal World Flyweight (112) and World Featherweight crowns in his career. Coupled with his epic draw against Juan Manuel Marquez in 2004 and 2-1 victory margin in a series with the legendary Erik Morales from 2005-06, Pacquiao emerged as the only man in the race with Floyd Mayweather for pound-for-pound supremacy. In the eyes of some, including myself, he passed him in 2006. [details]
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