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Barrera v Juarez II | It’s All About The Intangibles
WED September 13, BUSTER PARIS - Round 7 – May 20th 2006 - both fighters shoulder to shoulder and slugging it out. Both crashing gloves to the others body. Marco Antonio Barrera loses his mouthpiece (he'd also lose it in the 8th round) – we found out later that it was a new one that wasn’t working out well, but at the time it had us remembering Diego Corrales and even asking questions like “broken jaw?
Rounds 8, 9 and 10 were pretty similar to each other and would be all Rocky Juarez’s. Somewhere in round 9 we were again mentioning names and remembering fights – like De La Hoya vs. Trinidad - because Barrera was on the run after doing so well and Rocky was stalking him like some horror movie killer.
Juarez would walk down Barrera, pound away at him and land ginormous right hands. They would wind up shoulder to shoulder and Juarez would win the exchanges. He would land the more punishing punches and would look like the fresher fighter.
For Marco Antonio’s part – he would be moving away from Rocky, still trading and throwing big blows, but he appeared to be in survival mode and looked hurt, tired and pained – with blood sadly smeared on his face.
That was a long 4 months ago that ended in a skin of your teeth draw – no – wait - split decision for The Baby Faced Assassin (Barrera) --- and we’re in for more on Saturday – September 16th 2006 as Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez lace ‘em up again against each other at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas – and guess what – Manny Pacquiao may have to wait - we could be looking at the 2nd match of a very dramatic trilogy.
I could go on and talk about what each fighter posses – that Barrera is the more experienced and technically better and more skilled fighter --- and that Juarez is the younger, fresher and less worn and damaged fighter as well as having a much harder punch than Barrera - and - is most likely the hardest hitter Marco Antonio has ever faced.
I could go on about on that, but I don’t think this fight is about that – I think it’s about the intangibles.
For Barrera – this is an important win due to his pride. To take such a beating and etch out such a slim win does not sit well with him – and the man has a heart and will that continually drives him to victory.
For Rocky – he’s hungry. He’s on the verge of being THE man in the Super Featherweight division and to lose on such a tiny margin does not sit well with him – it’s his biggest challenge to date and will define his career and his life – and - it will become part of his future legacy.
That’s what both men are fighting for – and those things can’t be taught, can’t be measured and can’t be ignored by any of us – this fight is about the intangibles.
There are some concerns though – let’s look at Barrera first -- is Marco Antonio on the Erik Morales path? – Morales lost to Zahir Raheem and then got knocked out by Manny Pacquiao – and even though Marco Antonio beat Rocky (May 20 2006) -- was this fight Barrera’s Raheem? – you saw his face – have you ever seen it so beat up looking?
Have Barrera’s wars caught up with him? – is he an old 32 years of age?
On the flip side to that question - where in the world does Barrera get that next gear from? – just when you think he’s about to flicker out or run out of steam he suddenly turns it on – and – when he’s amping it up he’s able to kick into an even higher gear that comes out of nowhere - it reminds me of that amplifier in Spinal Tap – “…it goes to Eleven…”
Looking at Juarez – is Rocky ready for a potentially revenge seeking Marco Antonio? – Is Rocky ready to play with the big boys? – You just don’t have a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera – you enter into a whole new realm of experience and everything changes – forever – no one is ever the same afterwards – certainty not you.
On the flip side of that though -- who knew Juarez had fists made out of iron –how incredible was watching his power on May 20th 2006? - He made Barrera’s face look like it just came out of the Playdough Fun Factory.
Who knew that Rocky could hang with the likes of Barrera.
That’s the key and the answer – that’s the biggest thrust and point of this fight – that single fact predicts the winner – now Juarez knows that he can go a full 12 rounds - and do well - against Marco Antonio … but … Barrera knows that too.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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