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"Down For the Count" - Barrera-Juarez
By Ryan ******** and Jeffrey Cabauatan
9-12-06
Hello everybody, and welcome to the first installment of "Down For the Count" with Jeffrey Cabauatan and Ryan ********. In "Down For the Count", we will give our analysis of upcoming fights and other boxing matters. So sit back and enjoy the show!
This week, we will be previewing the Sept. 16 PPV card featuring the rematch between Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez. Golden Boy Promotions comes up with a winner big time on with this card.
Marco Antonio Barrera, 62-4 (42 KO) vs. Rocky Juarez, 25-2 (18 KO)
WBC Super Featherweight Championship
Cabauatan: In their first meeting, Marco Barrera controlled the first half of the fight with his jab and combination. However, in the second half, Juarez relentless pressure followed by his jab allowed him to land bombs on Barrera. I had their last fight as a draw with Barrera winning the first 7 rounds except the 3rd and Juarez sweeping 8-12 rounds.
I thought Rocky Juarez was a bit reluctant with his attack and way too cautious in the first half. Who could blame him? This was his first big time exposure against a future hall of famer. He tried to land one big punch at a time which worked on Barrera’s favor as he picked Juarez off with his jab. But in round 7, Barrera looked tired and gassed out. Even though I scored the rest of the fight on Juarez’s favor, you can still see flashes of Barrera’s brilliance in those exchanges and his ability to freeze Juarez’s attack when he boxed. I thought Barrera was quicker and smarter. With that said I predict that Barrera would come into fight in much better shape and try to outbox Juarez so he can avoid that deadly left hook.
Pick: Barrera- Unanimous Decision
********: I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this. Juarez was abit gunshy early because of the caliber of fighter he was in against. I'll tell you though, once he got comfortable he started to really beat Barrera up. After the sixth round, it was all Juarez.
I don't often pick against a legendary champion, but this is an exception. After what occurred in the second half of their first bout, Juarez is soaring with confidence. Add that to he fact that he's young and possesses otherwordly power in his left hook, and what you have is a changing of the guard waiting to happen. Barrera, who barely escaped with his 130 pound title the last time they met, has really been fighting on heart and experience since the third fight with Morales. Barrera's susceptibility to Juarez's left hook and inability to match the fire power of the Houston native suggests that the end is near for one of the greatest warriors of this modern era.
If Juarez is able to catch up to the more versatile Barrera earlier this time around, expect him to stop Barrera in the last fourth of the fight. But as the great Cus D'Amato once stated, every great old fighter has atleast one great performance left in him. Never count out a great professional like Marco Antonio Barrera. That said, I think Barrera has run out of tommorrows.
Pick: Juarez- 10th round stoppage
Jorge Barrios, 46-2-1 (33 KO) vs. Joan Guzman, 25-0 (17 KO)
WBO Super Featherweight Title
Cabauatan: A current hard hitter vs. a former hard puncher (Guzman at 122). In the last fight of both men, Barrios clearly showed that he possess a heavier hand than Guzman. With one shot to the liver, Janos Nagy was defeated before I can even put popcorn on my mouth. On the other hand, Guzman boxed durable veteran Juaregui for ten rounds. Guzman looks small and his power diminished as he moved up 2 weight class. I just cannot ignore the size of Barrios. This guy is a monster at 130. He would probably come into fight at around 155. All he has to do is entice Guzman to brawl with him and that would allow him to do his damage.
Pick: Barrios- 9th round stoppage
********: We can't agree on anything today, huh? One thing I'm sure you concur with is that this has the potential to be one of the most explosive encounters of the year. Guzman is my pick to unseat the tough Barrios, but Barrios' numerous intangible qualities make it a damn near even fight. As was displayed in his title winning encounter with Mike Anchondo, Barrios is able to compensate for his lack of aesthetically pleasing craft with the kind of rough play that could unsettle a young fighter like Guzman. Guzman however is not Anchondo, and is considerably more resolved and molded than Anchondo. However, Barrios is always one rabbit punch from turning the bout in his favor.
Guzman is more of a boxer, and he'll need to be for him to maximize his chances in the fight. He hasn't carried up that lights out power to the junior lightweight division, as evidenced by his less than stellar performance in his most recent effort, a unanimous decision victory over former titlist Javier Jauregui. However, sources close to Guzman relate that his flat showing was merely Guzman adjusting to the new weight division. Nonetheless, Guzman will be better served to use his vastly superior handspeed to get off first before Barrios can get in close and make a brawl out of it. It is also imperative that the referee maintains control of the bout, as Barrios' fight is to make it dirty and messy. Big money opportunities with possible dance partners Manny Pacquiao, Edwin Valero, or the winner of the main event are on the line, so this is a pivotal bout for both men.
I rarely pick against the guy with better technique, and I'm going to go with my instincts here and take Guzman to pull out a close decision.
Pick: Guzman- Majority Decision
Israel Vazquez, 40-3 (29 KO) vs. Jhonny Gonzales, 33-4 (28 KO)
WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Cabautan: I really think that this fight was way too soon for young Jhonny. He still do not have enough experience to go toe to toe with the Undisputed Super Bantamweight Champion Israel Vasquez. This should be a defining fight for Vasquez.
After he beats Gonzales, there’s really nothing left to do at 122. He should go up to 126 where he can chase a fight with JMM.
Pick: Vasquez- 10th round stoppage
********: Finally, we're on the same page here. Vasquez looked very impressive in his last outing, annhilating Oscar Larios in dominant fashion. Conversely, Gonzales looked flat and never really got going against Montiel. Honestly, I have yet to find anything to be excited about Gonzales. He is painfully slow, like Margarito after a few margaritas. He just doesn't strike me as a standout fighter. I think it's going to be a case of Vasquez being too good for young Gonzales, and Vasquez can move onto better things in the 122 and 126 pound divisions.
Pick: Vasquez- 8th round stoppage
If you would like to contact Ryan ********, his e-mail is mc_rson@yahoo.com. His ******* address is http://www.*******.com/asian_sensation201 . His Friendster is http://www.friendster.com/******** .
Jeffrey Cabauatan can be contacted by e-mail at jeffcabauatan@yahoo.com .
By Ryan ******** and Jeffrey Cabauatan
9-12-06
Hello everybody, and welcome to the first installment of "Down For the Count" with Jeffrey Cabauatan and Ryan ********. In "Down For the Count", we will give our analysis of upcoming fights and other boxing matters. So sit back and enjoy the show!
This week, we will be previewing the Sept. 16 PPV card featuring the rematch between Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez. Golden Boy Promotions comes up with a winner big time on with this card.
Marco Antonio Barrera, 62-4 (42 KO) vs. Rocky Juarez, 25-2 (18 KO)
WBC Super Featherweight Championship
Cabauatan: In their first meeting, Marco Barrera controlled the first half of the fight with his jab and combination. However, in the second half, Juarez relentless pressure followed by his jab allowed him to land bombs on Barrera. I had their last fight as a draw with Barrera winning the first 7 rounds except the 3rd and Juarez sweeping 8-12 rounds.
I thought Rocky Juarez was a bit reluctant with his attack and way too cautious in the first half. Who could blame him? This was his first big time exposure against a future hall of famer. He tried to land one big punch at a time which worked on Barrera’s favor as he picked Juarez off with his jab. But in round 7, Barrera looked tired and gassed out. Even though I scored the rest of the fight on Juarez’s favor, you can still see flashes of Barrera’s brilliance in those exchanges and his ability to freeze Juarez’s attack when he boxed. I thought Barrera was quicker and smarter. With that said I predict that Barrera would come into fight in much better shape and try to outbox Juarez so he can avoid that deadly left hook.
Pick: Barrera- Unanimous Decision
********: I'm gonna have to disagree with you on this. Juarez was abit gunshy early because of the caliber of fighter he was in against. I'll tell you though, once he got comfortable he started to really beat Barrera up. After the sixth round, it was all Juarez.
I don't often pick against a legendary champion, but this is an exception. After what occurred in the second half of their first bout, Juarez is soaring with confidence. Add that to he fact that he's young and possesses otherwordly power in his left hook, and what you have is a changing of the guard waiting to happen. Barrera, who barely escaped with his 130 pound title the last time they met, has really been fighting on heart and experience since the third fight with Morales. Barrera's susceptibility to Juarez's left hook and inability to match the fire power of the Houston native suggests that the end is near for one of the greatest warriors of this modern era.
If Juarez is able to catch up to the more versatile Barrera earlier this time around, expect him to stop Barrera in the last fourth of the fight. But as the great Cus D'Amato once stated, every great old fighter has atleast one great performance left in him. Never count out a great professional like Marco Antonio Barrera. That said, I think Barrera has run out of tommorrows.
Pick: Juarez- 10th round stoppage
Jorge Barrios, 46-2-1 (33 KO) vs. Joan Guzman, 25-0 (17 KO)
WBO Super Featherweight Title
Cabauatan: A current hard hitter vs. a former hard puncher (Guzman at 122). In the last fight of both men, Barrios clearly showed that he possess a heavier hand than Guzman. With one shot to the liver, Janos Nagy was defeated before I can even put popcorn on my mouth. On the other hand, Guzman boxed durable veteran Juaregui for ten rounds. Guzman looks small and his power diminished as he moved up 2 weight class. I just cannot ignore the size of Barrios. This guy is a monster at 130. He would probably come into fight at around 155. All he has to do is entice Guzman to brawl with him and that would allow him to do his damage.
Pick: Barrios- 9th round stoppage
********: We can't agree on anything today, huh? One thing I'm sure you concur with is that this has the potential to be one of the most explosive encounters of the year. Guzman is my pick to unseat the tough Barrios, but Barrios' numerous intangible qualities make it a damn near even fight. As was displayed in his title winning encounter with Mike Anchondo, Barrios is able to compensate for his lack of aesthetically pleasing craft with the kind of rough play that could unsettle a young fighter like Guzman. Guzman however is not Anchondo, and is considerably more resolved and molded than Anchondo. However, Barrios is always one rabbit punch from turning the bout in his favor.
Guzman is more of a boxer, and he'll need to be for him to maximize his chances in the fight. He hasn't carried up that lights out power to the junior lightweight division, as evidenced by his less than stellar performance in his most recent effort, a unanimous decision victory over former titlist Javier Jauregui. However, sources close to Guzman relate that his flat showing was merely Guzman adjusting to the new weight division. Nonetheless, Guzman will be better served to use his vastly superior handspeed to get off first before Barrios can get in close and make a brawl out of it. It is also imperative that the referee maintains control of the bout, as Barrios' fight is to make it dirty and messy. Big money opportunities with possible dance partners Manny Pacquiao, Edwin Valero, or the winner of the main event are on the line, so this is a pivotal bout for both men.
I rarely pick against the guy with better technique, and I'm going to go with my instincts here and take Guzman to pull out a close decision.
Pick: Guzman- Majority Decision
Israel Vazquez, 40-3 (29 KO) vs. Jhonny Gonzales, 33-4 (28 KO)
WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Cabautan: I really think that this fight was way too soon for young Jhonny. He still do not have enough experience to go toe to toe with the Undisputed Super Bantamweight Champion Israel Vasquez. This should be a defining fight for Vasquez.
After he beats Gonzales, there’s really nothing left to do at 122. He should go up to 126 where he can chase a fight with JMM.
Pick: Vasquez- 10th round stoppage
********: Finally, we're on the same page here. Vasquez looked very impressive in his last outing, annhilating Oscar Larios in dominant fashion. Conversely, Gonzales looked flat and never really got going against Montiel. Honestly, I have yet to find anything to be excited about Gonzales. He is painfully slow, like Margarito after a few margaritas. He just doesn't strike me as a standout fighter. I think it's going to be a case of Vasquez being too good for young Gonzales, and Vasquez can move onto better things in the 122 and 126 pound divisions.
Pick: Vasquez- 8th round stoppage
If you would like to contact Ryan ********, his e-mail is mc_rson@yahoo.com. His ******* address is http://www.*******.com/asian_sensation201 . His Friendster is http://www.friendster.com/******** .
Jeffrey Cabauatan can be contacted by e-mail at jeffcabauatan@yahoo.com .
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