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Barrera advises Manny to focus on Hatton
By Joaquin Henson
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Former WBC featherweight and superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera said the other day Manny Pacquiao should avoid fighting either Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto to stay on track for a megabuck bout against IBO lightwelterweight titleholder Ricky Hatton next year.
“If I’m on Manny’s side, I’ll tell him to wait until next year for Hatton,” said Barrera. “The fans want to see Manny in a competitive fight, not a mismatch. Valero is not good for a tune-up because he is a dangerous and hungry opponent. I think Manny will beat Valero because of his experience. Manny is too smart for Valero and is in his prime. Valero isn’t ready for Manny. But Valero has nothing to lose and will give it everything he’s got.”
As for Soto, Barrera said Pacquiao will gain nothing by fighting the Mexican contender. He denied being lined up for a comeback bout against Soto on Sept. 16 in Mexico City despite a posting in the website boxrec.com.
“It’s unfair for other fighters if Manny fights Soto next,” said Barrera. “Soto couldn’t even beat (Joan) Guzman and is coming off a controversial fight (a disqualification loss to Francisco Lorenzo). Now, the WBC is thinking of naming him the interim superfeatherweight champion. If Soto fights Manny, the result will be the same as (David) Diaz, maybe worse. Manny doesn’t need Soto. Who is Soto? He should fall in line like the others and beat big-name fighters before earning the right to challenge Manny. Soto is lucky he’s with Top Rank. If not, nobody would even know he exists. I think Manny should fight Hatton then retire as a legend.”
Jeff de Guzman, a Filipino physical therapist working in Los Angeles, arranged a STAR overseas phone interview with Barrera who just announced he has terminated his promotional contract with Golden Boy.
De Guzman was in Barrera’s suite at the Grand Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles with the fighter’s brother Jorge and cutman Tony Rivera.
“I spoke with Manny on the phone and asked if we could discuss business when he comes to Las Vegas for the Cotto-Margarito fight on July 26,” said Barrera. “I have about 20 fighters in my stable, from flyweights to superfeatherweights. I’m planning to co-promote with Manny a big card featuring my Mexican fighters against Manny’s Filipino fighters. We could do it in the Philippines or Mexico. Manny agreed we would sit down and talk about it.”
Barrera, 34, said depending on the outcome of their discussions, he may visit Manila early next month.
“I’ve heard so much about Manila and I want to know more about the Filipino people,” said Barrera. “I want to formally congratulate Manny for being a great champion in front of his people. He was spectacular against Diaz, very fast and very strong.”
Asked if he is serious about making a comeback, Barrera said he’ll only return to the ring against a worthy opponent.
“I’m not finished as a fighter,” he said. “But I’m not interested in fighting (Juan Manuel) Marquez even if the judges gave him a gift when we fought and he didn’t deserve the decision. I don’t have to prove anything against Marquez.”
But a third fight against Pacquiao is something he wouldn’t refuse.
“It would be an honor to fight Manny again,” said Barrera. “Of course, I would take that fight, even in Manila.”
De Guzman said Barrera was given his release by Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer after Oscar de la Hoya’s promotions outfit failed to arrange a fight in the last nine months as stipulated in their contract.
“Marco told me he’s not taking sides if Manny fights Valero because Valero is his compadre,” said De Guzman. “But Valero only has a slim chance of winning because he’s still not in Manny’s level. His advice is for Manny to stay away from Valero who’s a dangerous power puncher. He also doesn’t think Soto should be Manny’s next opponent. He predicted Soto will get knocked out by Manny in seven rounds.”
By Joaquin Henson
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Former WBC featherweight and superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera said the other day Manny Pacquiao should avoid fighting either Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto to stay on track for a megabuck bout against IBO lightwelterweight titleholder Ricky Hatton next year.
“If I’m on Manny’s side, I’ll tell him to wait until next year for Hatton,” said Barrera. “The fans want to see Manny in a competitive fight, not a mismatch. Valero is not good for a tune-up because he is a dangerous and hungry opponent. I think Manny will beat Valero because of his experience. Manny is too smart for Valero and is in his prime. Valero isn’t ready for Manny. But Valero has nothing to lose and will give it everything he’s got.”
As for Soto, Barrera said Pacquiao will gain nothing by fighting the Mexican contender. He denied being lined up for a comeback bout against Soto on Sept. 16 in Mexico City despite a posting in the website boxrec.com.
“It’s unfair for other fighters if Manny fights Soto next,” said Barrera. “Soto couldn’t even beat (Joan) Guzman and is coming off a controversial fight (a disqualification loss to Francisco Lorenzo). Now, the WBC is thinking of naming him the interim superfeatherweight champion. If Soto fights Manny, the result will be the same as (David) Diaz, maybe worse. Manny doesn’t need Soto. Who is Soto? He should fall in line like the others and beat big-name fighters before earning the right to challenge Manny. Soto is lucky he’s with Top Rank. If not, nobody would even know he exists. I think Manny should fight Hatton then retire as a legend.”
Jeff de Guzman, a Filipino physical therapist working in Los Angeles, arranged a STAR overseas phone interview with Barrera who just announced he has terminated his promotional contract with Golden Boy.
De Guzman was in Barrera’s suite at the Grand Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles with the fighter’s brother Jorge and cutman Tony Rivera.
“I spoke with Manny on the phone and asked if we could discuss business when he comes to Las Vegas for the Cotto-Margarito fight on July 26,” said Barrera. “I have about 20 fighters in my stable, from flyweights to superfeatherweights. I’m planning to co-promote with Manny a big card featuring my Mexican fighters against Manny’s Filipino fighters. We could do it in the Philippines or Mexico. Manny agreed we would sit down and talk about it.”
Barrera, 34, said depending on the outcome of their discussions, he may visit Manila early next month.
“I’ve heard so much about Manila and I want to know more about the Filipino people,” said Barrera. “I want to formally congratulate Manny for being a great champion in front of his people. He was spectacular against Diaz, very fast and very strong.”
Asked if he is serious about making a comeback, Barrera said he’ll only return to the ring against a worthy opponent.
“I’m not finished as a fighter,” he said. “But I’m not interested in fighting (Juan Manuel) Marquez even if the judges gave him a gift when we fought and he didn’t deserve the decision. I don’t have to prove anything against Marquez.”
But a third fight against Pacquiao is something he wouldn’t refuse.
“It would be an honor to fight Manny again,” said Barrera. “Of course, I would take that fight, even in Manila.”
De Guzman said Barrera was given his release by Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer after Oscar de la Hoya’s promotions outfit failed to arrange a fight in the last nine months as stipulated in their contract.
“Marco told me he’s not taking sides if Manny fights Valero because Valero is his compadre,” said De Guzman. “But Valero only has a slim chance of winning because he’s still not in Manny’s level. His advice is for Manny to stay away from Valero who’s a dangerous power puncher. He also doesn’t think Soto should be Manny’s next opponent. He predicted Soto will get knocked out by Manny in seven rounds.”
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