Azumah Nelson vs Marco Antonio Barrera

[vagabundo55]

Hang on - First off Gomez was no where near "past finished" when Azumah beat him - Gomez was only 28 years old and had a record of 41-1-1 (39) at the time - He hadn't lost in over 3 years - (Gomez did not lose to Layne for another 2 years after being beat by Azumah) -

Hi Meade

Sorry but have to disagree. Gomez wasn't the same fighter after he lost to Sanchez. He seemed to have lost something and really looked like the kind of big name who could be beaten by someone on the up. I never considered that the Nelson-Gomez fight would be anything other than a win for Nelson. The 'Gomez' name was still news but his prowess were gone.

I hear your sentiment - But the fact is for 3 years (after his loss to Sanchez) Gomez was still waiting for one of the those "on the up" to be able to beat him!! -

He won fights for three straight years before losing to Azumah - He was 41-1-1 going into that fight -

Was Gomez better at BW (probably) but he was still one of the best JFW in history when Azumah beat him - (IMO).

That's true.. but he won three straight fights against no one of near the caliber of Nelson. Sanchez just plain destroyed Gomez. And Sanchez is more than a "bit" better than Barrera. Barrera would lose to Nelson as i've said before. I thought about it for awhile too. And Nelson wins 7 out of 10.

[meade95]

Hi Meade

Sorry but have to disagree. Gomez wasn't the same fighter after he lost to Sanchez. He seemed to have lost something and really looked like the kind of big name who could be beaten by someone on the up. I never considered that the Nelson-Gomez fight would be anything other than a win for Nelson. The 'Gomez' name was still news but his prowess were gone.

I hear your sentiment - But the fact is for 3 years (after his loss to Sanchez) Gomez was still waiting for one of the those "on the up" to be able to beat him!! -

He won fights for three straight years before losing to Azumah - He was 41-1-1 going into that fight -

Was Gomez better at BW (probably) but he was still one of the best JFW in history when Azumah beat him - (IMO).

That's true.. but he won three straight fights against no one of near the caliber of Nelson. Sanchez just plain destroyed Gomez. And Sanchez is more than a "bit" better than Barrera. Barrera would lose to Nelson as i've said before. I thought about it for awhile too. And Nelson wins 7 out of 10.

Agreed -

[Autobarn]

Nelson was a proven 15-round fighter, only stopped once vs Sanchez and some had Nelson winning up to that point. Nelson was raw then but became a hell of a fighter.

Look at the guys Nelson has beaten.

If the first Villasana & Martinez fights were close, the second ones most definitely weren't. Look at the beating Mario got! Nelson doesn't get enough credit for going to Puerto Rico to spank Gomez, or for beating Jim McDonnell in that absolute classic, for stopping Cowdell in one punch (Cowdell gave Sanchez serious trouble) all on the opponent's turf.

He doesn't get props for adjusting to an inspired Calvin Grove, or for beating good fighters with youth advantages: beat Ruelas twice, scored the only stoppage in his series with Leija. Heck, an old Leija gave prime Mosley and prime Tszyu a fair bit to think about! Nelson was well in his 30s.

Oh, and he beat the heck out of that marauder Fenech, after getting a lucky draw. Fenech would've eaten up Barrera, Pac, Morales.

Nelson by stoppage. Barrera's slickness would give him trouble, but they didn't call Azuma 'The Professor' for nothing. He'd find a way and it wouldn't take him two fights.

[vagabundo55]

Nelson was a proven 15-round fighter, only stopped once vs Sanchez and some had Nelson winning up to that point. Nelson was raw then but became a hell of a fighter.

Look at the guys Nelson has beaten.

If the first Villasana & Martinez fights were close, the second ones most definitely weren't. Look at the beating Mario got! Nelson doesn't get enough credit for going to Puerto Rico to spank Gomez, or for beating Jim McDonnell in that absolute classic, for stopping Cowdell in one punch (Cowdell gave Sanchez serious trouble) all on the opponent's turf.

He doesn't get props for adjusting to an inspired Calvin Grove, or for beating good fighters with youth advantages: beat Ruelas twice, scored the only stoppage in his series with Leija. Heck, an old Leija gave prime Mosley and prime Tszyu a fair bit to think about! Nelson was well in his 30s.

Oh, and he beat the heck out of that marauder Fenech, after getting a lucky draw. Fenech would've eaten up Barrera, Pac, Morales.

Nelson by stoppage. Barrera's slickness would give him trouble, but they didn't call Azuma 'The Professor' for nothing. He'd find a way and it wouldn't take him two fights.

Sanchez was known to fight at the level of his opposition but once the fight got close he'd shine. I think Sanchez would beat Nelson if they were both on their best night. As for Fenech eating up Barrera, Pac, and Morales... I doubt that. Maybe Pac, but Barrera and Morales... no way. It would be a competitive fight. I'd say Morales beats Fenech even.. as for Barrera.. i'd have to think about that one. And as i've said before.. Nelson wins against Barrera. He's just too big and strong for Barrera.

[meade95]

Nelson was a proven 15-round fighter, only stopped once vs Sanchez and some had Nelson winning up to that point. Nelson was raw then but became a hell of a fighter.

Look at the guys Nelson has beaten.

If the first Villasana & Martinez fights were close, the second ones most definitely weren't. Look at the beating Mario got! Nelson doesn't get enough credit for going to Puerto Rico to spank Gomez, or for beating Jim McDonnell in that absolute classic, for stopping Cowdell in one punch (Cowdell gave Sanchez serious trouble) all on the opponent's turf.

He doesn't get props for adjusting to an inspired Calvin Grove, or for beating good fighters with youth advantages: beat Ruelas twice, scored the only stoppage in his series with Leija. Heck, an old Leija gave prime Mosley and prime Tszyu a fair bit to think about! Nelson was well in his 30s.

Oh, and he beat the heck out of that marauder Fenech, after getting a lucky draw. Fenech would've eaten up Barrera, Pac, Morales.

Nelson by stoppage. Barrera's slickness would give him trouble, but they didn't call Azuma 'The Professor' for nothing. He'd find a way and it wouldn't take him two fights.

Sanchez was known to fight at the level of his opposition but once the fight got close he'd shine. I think Sanchez would beat Nelson if they were both on their best night. As for Fenech eating up Barrera, Pac, and Morales... I doubt that. Maybe Pac, but Barrera and Morales... no way. It would be a competitive fight. I'd say Morales beats Fenech even.. as for Barrera.. i'd have to think about that one. And as i've said before.. Nelson wins against Barrera. He's just too big and strong for Barrera.

At FW a healthy / prime Fenech beats all three of Morales, Barrera and Pac Man -

Fenech Vs Morales would be a war without a doubt - but at FW Fenech would simply outwork and out brawl Morales inside ....and with Morales having his pride...he'd be willing to stand there and go at it for the full 12 rounds - Fenech by UNI DEC -

Fenech would stop Pac Man....and either stop Barrera late or take a UNI DEC -

[vagabundo55]

I don't know about that i'd have to think about it for awhile.. but I think we sometimes underestimate fighters of current times.

[meade95]

but I think we sometimes underestimate fighters of current times.

Agreed here 100% - It seems many often under-value today's (or modern day 90's) fighters -

But having seen lots of all these guys fights...a prime / healthy Fenech was absolutely brutal at FW -

[Roco]

I'm not sure what tactics Marco would prefer to use. If he uses his agressive approach I think Nelson gets him out inside the distance, however should be box more cautious he may see the final bell and lose a decision.

[Techno89]

It's a 50-50 fight in my opinion. I would hope Barrera pull out a win but it's hard to decide who'd win.

x2

[Crease]

Good fight.

If I had to beat, I'd be betting on Barrera.

[tommo100]

id`e have zoom zoom on points after a bruising encounter,the professor always found a way to win a difficult fight,in his prime of course,after all the battles he was in he did fight on for to long imo

[Goodnight, Irene]

Agree with Tommo. Nelson. Close, but fair.