Former three-division champion Marco Antonio Barrera facing off with Manny Pacquiao in their rematch (Photo: Will Hart – HBO)
By Chris Robinson
Despite the contrasting styles of each man, the one general consensus amongst boxing insiders is that the Nov. 23 Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios match is going to be an entertaining affair.
Taking place from the Venetian Resort in Macau, China on HBO pay per view, the boxing world will see first-hand how Pacquiao’s unorthodox, left-handed attack matches up with the aggressive style that Rios possesses.
While odds makers have Pacquiao a noticeable favorite heading into the match, former two-time Pacquiao foe Marco Antonio Barrera envisions a difficult task ahead for each guy.
“I think it is a complicated fight for both of them,” Barrera stated during a recent conference call. “You have Brandon Rios who comes straightforward and will apply the pressure on Manny. Then you have Manny who moves around the ring very well and picks and chooses his spots and comes at different angles and is a very strong fighter with a lot of speed. It’s just going to be a tough fight for both of them.”
Barrera will be forever tied to Pacquiao because of his fights against him in November of 2003 and October of 2007. Barrera lost to first fight to Pacquiao via an eleventh round TKO and would drop a unanimous decision to him in their rematch.
Barrera was asked to reflect back to that fateful first encounter he had with Manny in San Antonio.
“What I do remember is fighting a guy I knew nothing about and a very explosive fighter,” Barrera explained. “What I remember about other than losing the fight was he really beat me with the body shots. He was an extremely quick fighter that I was not prepared for.
“More than anything, Manny Pacquiao gained a lot of respect from the fans by beating me,” Barrera added. “Manny Pacquiao has made himself a star and gave smaller fighters the idea that ‘hey, I can make it in the bigger weights.’ That’s the type of fighter that Manny Pacquiao is.”
Barrera didn’t have an official prediction on the fight but was quick to highlight his thoughts on how exciting things will be next weekend.
“I know it’s going to be a great fight, an explosive fight,” said the three-division champion from Mexico City. “A fight of styles and styles make fights. It is going to be a brand new type of public out there that is going to enjoy a great show. Americans and Mexicans, to them I say, ‘Do not miss this fight – it is the fight you want to see.’”
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com