'Fearless' Headliners Make Weight (with photos)
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Mar 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada -- Just moments ago, the main combatants for this weekend’s boxing extravaganza dubbed as “Fearless -- the WBC Super Featherweight Championship” put together by the Golden Boy Promotions, easily made weight. Marco Antonio Barrera (63-4 42 KOs), the WBC Super featherweight champion came in at 130 lbs while Juan Manuel Marquez (46-3-1, 35 KOs), the challenger was 129 lbs. The weigh-in was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Events Center along the world famous “Las Vegas Strip”.
The fighters on the main undercard who will dispute the WBO Super bantamweight diadem, title-holder Daniel Ponce de Leon (30-1-0, 28 KOs) of Mexico and his Filipino challenger, former WBC flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa (51-5-2, 34 KOs) likewise came in within the contracted weight limitation. Both Ponce de Leon and Penalosa came in at 122 lbs.
Latest book-making odds indicate that Penalosa is the underdog. But, an upset is not too far fetched as he is a stylist fighter. In boxing sometimes, style can win over power.
Another fighter of interest to Paclanders who is also involved in tomorrow’s card, Davao City’s Diosdado “Prince” Gabi (28-3-1, 20 KOs) and his new opponent, Antonio Cochero (7-3-0) of Monteria, Columbia also made weight. Gabi tipped the scales at 117.5 lbs and Cochero, 117 lbs. Cochero is a last minute replacement for Oscar Andrade of Mexico.
“Fearless” is billed as the battle of two of the top Mexican featherweights. Barrera and Marquez are almost neighbors, living not too far from each other in Mexico. But since their early boxing days at the fabulous “Forum” in Inglewood, California where they often showcased their talents, they never were matched against each other.
Fate however has its own way of making things happen. With the contract dispute involving Oscar de la Hoya and Bob Arum for Manny Pacquiao’s promotional rights, Barrera and Marquez lost their chances for a big time fight with the Filipino icon. So de la Hoya, who promotes both boxers, in a brilliant move, decided to put up “Fearless” and pitted them against each other.
March 17th maybe is St. Patrick’s Day and should be for the Irish people. But, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, the Mexicans would have nothing of that. Two of their greatest gladiators in a fight not only for the title and the money that goes with it, but for legacy as well, are going against each other. That alone is a cause for a Mexican celebration!
Marquez being the champion is tagged as the slight odds-on favorite. The Marquez people are however looking for an upset.
With that, the fight would be nothing less than a slam-bang affair.
WEIGH-IN PHOTOS (All photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.)
Marco Antonio Barrera (left) and Juan Manuel Marquez (2nd from right) pose with Golden Boy executives Bernard Hopkins (2nd from left) and Sugar Shane Mosley after the weigh-in at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas.
Filipino challenger Gerry Penalosa raise his hands after the weigh-in.
WBO super bantam champ Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico poses after making weight.
Diosdado Gabi (left) and Antonio Cochero pose after the weigh-in.
Gabi and Cochero face each other off after the weigh-in.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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