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After eight months of inactivity, WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera (61-4, 42KOs) returns to the ring against former Olympian Rocky Juarez (25-1, 18KOs) in the Staples Center located in Los Angeles, California.
There were several twists and turns which created the long layoff for Barrera. Originally, Barrera was slated to face WBC lightweight champion Jesus Chavez. The bout was heavily publicized as Barrera was moving up in weight to become the first Mexican fighter to win titles in four weight divisions. The bout was unexpectedly called off due to an injury suffered by Chavez while training.
After Chavez was off the table, Barrera turned his attentions to undefeated WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz. Unfortunately, the Diaz fight was unable to come off and Barrera decided to stay at the super featherweight limit. Several weeks later, an opportunity to fight Barrera was presented to once-beaten Rocky Juarez, who accepted what could be his biggest opportunity to get his name back in the limelight.
Ironically, Juarez was helping Jesus Chavez prepare for Marco Antonio Barrera before the bout was cancelled.
It was not that long ago when Rocky Juarez was one of the most highly regarded prospects in the sport. The amateur background of Juarez is beyond impressive. In 1996, he won a gold medal in both the Junior Olympics National Championships and the Junior Olympics World Championships. In 1997, he won the Muhammad Ali Cup, a bronze medal at the U.S. Championships and won the Under-19 U.S. National Championships. In 1998, he won the National PAL Championships. In 1999, he earned a gold medal at the World Championships and in 2000, Juarez won the award for "Outstanding Boxer" at the Olympic Trials. [details]
There were several twists and turns which created the long layoff for Barrera. Originally, Barrera was slated to face WBC lightweight champion Jesus Chavez. The bout was heavily publicized as Barrera was moving up in weight to become the first Mexican fighter to win titles in four weight divisions. The bout was unexpectedly called off due to an injury suffered by Chavez while training.
After Chavez was off the table, Barrera turned his attentions to undefeated WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz. Unfortunately, the Diaz fight was unable to come off and Barrera decided to stay at the super featherweight limit. Several weeks later, an opportunity to fight Barrera was presented to once-beaten Rocky Juarez, who accepted what could be his biggest opportunity to get his name back in the limelight.
Ironically, Juarez was helping Jesus Chavez prepare for Marco Antonio Barrera before the bout was cancelled.
It was not that long ago when Rocky Juarez was one of the most highly regarded prospects in the sport. The amateur background of Juarez is beyond impressive. In 1996, he won a gold medal in both the Junior Olympics National Championships and the Junior Olympics World Championships. In 1997, he won the Muhammad Ali Cup, a bronze medal at the U.S. Championships and won the Under-19 U.S. National Championships. In 1998, he won the National PAL Championships. In 1999, he earned a gold medal at the World Championships and in 2000, Juarez won the award for "Outstanding Boxer" at the Olympic Trials. [details]