BoxingScene Staff Predictions: Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Rocky Juarez

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

There are so many instances in the modern day version of the sport where controversial endings are left alone, and rematches are rarely made. Unlike Taylor-Wright 2, De La Hoya-Trinidad 2 or even Barrera-Pacquiao 2, this rematch is actually going to happen.

Saturday night, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., super feather weight champion Marco Antonio Barrera (62-4, 42 KOs) and Rocky Juarez (25-2, 18 KOs), will meet in a rematch to settle the dispute in their previous May meeting which took place in California's Staples Center.

The first meeting did not lack excitement, and unfortunately the excitement was smeared with post-fight controversy. After Barrera started off quick to pile up a decent early lead, he slowly began to fade in the later rounds as Juarez took over the fight. After the end of the final bell, both fighters felt they had the fight won.

Initially the fight was announced as a draw. After the actual live HBO broadcast went off the air, it was revealed to the crowd that two of the judges miscalculated their scores and Barrera was declared the winner by way of split-decision.

The staff of BoxingScene comes together to voice their opinions, strategies and predictions for the big fight.

TK Stewart - The best opportunity Rocky Juarez ever had to defeat Marco Antonio Barrera took place back in May in Los Angeles. Juarez had a Barrera that took the fight lightly and wasn't in top flight mental or physical condition. That was Rocky Juarez' best shot at a victory over Barrera and he let it slip away. As it was, Juarez had all that he could handle with Barrera - and then some. I scored the first fight for Barrera 115-113 and thought that it was the older, not in top shape Barrera that won the final two rounds to eke out the decision victory. [details]

[Mech.]

Barrera:
TK Stewart
Ron Borges
Dan Creighton
Joe Harrison
Ron Gallegos
Barrera
George Phillips
Alphonso Costello
Tom Donelson
Bradley Yeh
Terence Dooley
Jim Cawkwell
Rick Reeno


Juarez:
Tim Smith
Rusty Rubin
Dave Wilcox
Paul Gallegos
Brent Matteo Alderson
Mike Indri
JC Casarez
Larry Tornambe
Sammy Rozenberg
James Blears

[psychopath]

Barrera:
TK Stewart
Ron Borges
Dan Creighton
Joe Harrison
Ron Gallegos
Barrera
George Phillips
Alphonso Costello
Tom Donelson
Bradley Yeh
Terence Dooley
Jim Cawkwell
Rick Reeno


Juarez:
Tim Smith
Rusty Rubin
Dave Wilcox
Paul Gallegos
Brent Matteo Alderson
Mike Indri
JC Casarez
Larry Tornambe
Sammy Rozenberg
James Blears

So it's 13 to 10 split for MAB?

These predictions are making it more exciting.

[Manny_P]

i'm actually leaning towards Juarez now. He had Barrera running last time and Juarez got the better in the late rounds last time too. Juarez is my pick in this fight.

[Amaro]

I'm on the wall here, juarez is a houston native, young up coming talent, goal is to become world champ before his gramps passes away, and very charismatic while barrera is this incredible fighter who'd I'd hate to see take such a beating especially at the potentional juarez possesses...damn

[JoartCC2]

I lean on Juarez on this one.

If he pressures MAB early, it's over.

[Easy-E]

I dont understand what all the fuss was over the first fight.
Barrera clearly won it.

[AP6]

i'm going with Barrera by UD

[JoartCC2]

I dont understand what all the fuss was over the first fight.
Barrera clearly won it.

Are you blind or what?

Just take a good look at MAB's face.

Or do I have to give you glasses for that.

[ferocity]

I almost want to pick Barrera. I followed both these guys very close almost since they stepped on the scene. I favoring Juarez, but after letting a few weeks go by and seeing the fight again, imo the safe bet is Barrera. I was surprised how Barrera was able to hurt Juarez, and how he was able to pull some old school tricks on Juarez and Rocky didn't know how to react.

I think we'll see Barrera main startagy be a body attack. I seen Rocky too many times to think he will start fast, even though i think he will i just don't see it happening. Imo, Rockys only chance is to win by Ko, and i think, because im rooting for him i'll say Rocky gets a tko by the 11th. I still say Rocky is very, very dangerous in the last minute of every round.

Thing is i think if Rocky just consitrates mainly on two combos, left hook/right hand, i think Rocky will sooner or later catch Barrera. Barrera is still way to dangerous and crafty veteran to count him out in any fight against any fighter. When he lets his combos go, he looks like the Barrera of old especially when he throws those mean looking liver shots.

In the end, if i got to be honest with myself i see Barrera winning, by going to Rockys body front 3rd round on, boxing the first two. But my instincts and favortism say Rocky will win, i want to belive once again that he will let it all hang out and go for broke and he may do this since this is his first rematch but i just don't belive it till i see it, till i see him do this. Rocky gots what it takes, he's got the power and skills to beat Barrera, but im not sure if he has the anger in him that i still see in Barrera. But im hopeing Rocky wins and lets his hands go and hopfully Barrera makes him angry. I will say, Rocky by tko.

I think Rocky will start off quick in the 1st or 2nd round before going back to his relaxed style and again picking up the pace in the 3rd part of the fight. Im a say Rocky by tko but the safe bet is Barrera by descision, i don't think Rocky can or will win a decision, not because of the judges but because Barrera still knows how to steal rounds.