BARERRA CAPTURES THE HEARTS OF THE FILIPINOS
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 02 Mar 2013
CEBU CITY -- Unlike his archrival, Juan Manuel Marquez, who was extensively booed at the Araneta Coliseum when he came to brashly challenged Manny Pacquiao for a fight, Marco Antonio Barrera was revered by the Filipino fight fans.
All because the guy acted with proper decorum and he was very classy.
And it didn?t hurt that he said the right words too. But then again, for a cultured guy that he is, that is expected.
?It only shows that he is well educated,? a pundit seating with us at a dinner table during the media dinner Friday night at the Parklane Hotel.
Barrera was ?Mister Charming? from the time he got off the plane, to the dinner tendered at the very plush residence of Don Antonio Aldeguer in the hills over looking Cebu City last Thursday night.
He was also very accommodating and never said no to an autograph request or to pose for a photo.
The fans at the presscon organized by ALA Promotions to introduce him to the fans before the weigh-in at the SM Mall never had it so good.
?Never in my life did I expect to shake the hands of a Mexican boxing legend let alone be able to pose with him for a photo,? said a student who said he missed class just to see a legend in person.
Barrera was all smiles and very respectful ? to the fans and to the Filipino boxers he came to know.
?I was never embarrassed losing to Manny Pacquiao, because I know I lost to the best of the best,? he said in reference to Pacquiao, drawing a spontaneous applause from the media people who came to see the legend.
This morning at the restaurant inside the Waterfront Hotel where he was billeted with Team Fuentes, Barrera was an epitome of a true celebrity.
He did not mind interrupting breakfast to pose for fight fans and the staff at the restaurant.
The supposedly quick one hour breakfast with his Team easily extended to a two hour marathon highlighted by posing for photos to the seemingly endless fans and hotel staff that came to adore his very respectful character.
Truly Barrera is a credit to boxing. His fight record speaks for itself.
But his first class disposition says it all.
Viva Marco Antonio Barrera! Via Mexico!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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