BARRERA MEETS PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 08 Nov 2012
Future boxing Hall of Famer Marco Antionio Barrera watched his former rival Manny Pacquiao worked out at the Wild Card Gym on November 6, 2012 in Los Angeles. Pacquiao gave time for the Mexican former three division world champion to interview him. Barerra now works as a commentator for Mexican TV Azteca.
Pacquiao even posted on his Twitter MannyPacquiao that he did an interview with Barrera and accompanied it with a rare photo. The next day, he again posted on his Twitter that Barrera joined him in his daily morning jog and showed a picture of the Mexican legend with him and his entourage running on the road.
The ?Baby-Faced Assassin? was impressed by the Pacman?s performance at practice when interviewed by Chino Trinidad. He said Pacquiao looked stronger and is ready to regain his prominence as the world?s pound-for-pound king.
Coach Freddie Roach was likewise impressed by Pacquiao?s show of strength over his sparring partners and said it was ?the best day so far? among the number of days spent by his favorite boxer at the Wild Card Gym.
?Now those of us who are diehards for the sport, will take this photo into consideration as an iconic moment,? commented Johnny Benz of doghouseboxing.com referring to the photograph of the two boxing idols. ?Two super stars, one present, one from the past, who were at one time ring enemies, now sharing moments together.?
Elie Seckbach of esnewsreporting.com quoted Barrera referring to the Pacquiao-Marquez IV: ?It is going to be a good fight. I think Manny needs to find a knock out so there won?t be any controversy. When he fought with me he was a completely different person. His body, his work, his people and I think he is stronger now.?
On November 16, 2003, Barrera was defeated by Pacquiao in the eleventh round when Barerra's corner threw in the towel, earning Pacquiao his third world championship in third weight division. Pacquiao won the Ring Magazine featherweight title.
Barrera fought Pacquiao in a rematch for the WBC international superfeatherweight title on October 6, 2007 in Las Vegas. Barrera was defeated by a unanimous decision with scores of 118-109, 118-109, 115-112.
During the Nonito Donaire-Toshiaki Nishioka bout, Barrera was working as a commentator at the ringside and commented that Donaire and Pacquiao have two different styles and that he liked Donaire more. It could be because he lost twice to Pacquiao.
But Barrera must have realized that although Nonito has the potential to be the next great Filipino fighter, Manny is still the top Filipino and Asian boxer pound-for pound.
Asked if he would try another comeback atop the ring, Barrera answered ?I think what I had to do I did it. I fought who I had to fight and now its over. Yes I work for TV Azteca I enjoy it. I am in the best fights and that is where we are now.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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