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By Rick Reeno - We waited four long years to get Manny Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KOs) and Marco Antonio Barrera (63-5, 42 KOs) to stage a rematch of their 2003 encounter. Later tonight at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, the two rivals will collide for the second time.
When the two fought in 2003, Pacquiao unleashed a one-sided beating that made him an instant star. People should never count Barrera out. After rewatching the eleven rounds of damage that Pacquiao gave Barerra in 03, it's amazing to see Barrera still around as one of the top stars in the sport. Everyone thought Barrera was finished when he stopped by Manny.
Since the 03 loss, he retired Paulie Ayala, beat Erik Morales in a trilogy bout that won the Fight of The Year honors, blew away Mzonke Fana in two (Fana is now a decent champ and it's still his only KO loss), easily beat Robbie Peden to unify two titles, won two decisions over Rocky Juarez and lost a close fight to Juan Manuel Marquez in March.
Personally I scored the fight for Barrera, but it was very close and I can't argue with Marquez getting the nod.
Since the 03 win, Pacquiao has fought a who's who of Mexican fighters. The infamous draw with Marquez, the blowout of 3K Battery, the stoppage of Hector Velazquez (his only KO loss), winning two of three bouts with Erik Morales (both by KO, Morales' only KO losses), a decision over Oscar Larios, and knocking out the previously unbeaten Jorge Solis in April. [details]
When the two fought in 2003, Pacquiao unleashed a one-sided beating that made him an instant star. People should never count Barrera out. After rewatching the eleven rounds of damage that Pacquiao gave Barerra in 03, it's amazing to see Barrera still around as one of the top stars in the sport. Everyone thought Barrera was finished when he stopped by Manny.
Since the 03 loss, he retired Paulie Ayala, beat Erik Morales in a trilogy bout that won the Fight of The Year honors, blew away Mzonke Fana in two (Fana is now a decent champ and it's still his only KO loss), easily beat Robbie Peden to unify two titles, won two decisions over Rocky Juarez and lost a close fight to Juan Manuel Marquez in March.
Personally I scored the fight for Barrera, but it was very close and I can't argue with Marquez getting the nod.
Since the 03 win, Pacquiao has fought a who's who of Mexican fighters. The infamous draw with Marquez, the blowout of 3K Battery, the stoppage of Hector Velazquez (his only KO loss), winning two of three bouts with Erik Morales (both by KO, Morales' only KO losses), a decision over Oscar Larios, and knocking out the previously unbeaten Jorge Solis in April. [details]
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