BoxRec

Mexico's Marco Antonio Barrera has a tough-looking assignment tomorrow night in San Antonio, Texas, against hard-hitting Filipino Manny Pacquiao. As we know, Barrera underwent minor brain surgery in 1997 and has a metal plate in his skull. Now, the BBC sport website is reporting that he has suffered with headaches since 1995. This is worrying. I just hope nothing untoward happens tomorrow night, or boxing won't have a leg to stand on.

Hmm it would be unfortunate if anything did happen.

However since the surgery, he has been hit in the head by fighters like morales, so one would have thought that damage would have already been done.

However it does raise the question whether he would be boxing or not, and in my opinion, no.

Barrera 126; Pacquaio 125

can't wait for this one!

what's with the Gary Lineker pic?

:P

I don't know about the Pac Man. He's seems a very erratic performer, I've seen him when he's scintilating and I have seen him when he's looked very ordinary (Sanchez). When he's on fire he's undoubtedly up there with Ayalia as one of the best two Super Bantams in the world (who knows, maybe Wayne McCoullough can be involved aswell).

However, he's facing a very classy operator in Barrera, there appears to be a major difference in size. From those pictures, while I still categorise Barrera a small featherweight, Pacquiao appears to be a small Super Bantamweight.

I expect to see a cautious open few rounds from Barrera, he may be behind on points, but I think the power will hurt this rugged 122 pound champion. Barrera's jabs will make Pacquiao think, just like it did Tapia, Salad and other natural Super Batamweights.

Pacquiao will have success, i'm not disputing that, but will he hurt Barrera? I think not. I see Barrera eventually going match and scoring the TKO around the 9th round, when possibly behind on the card to the all punching Phillipino.

Its a fight where both guys will cover themselves in pride and both reputations will be enhanced. Got to favour the bigger man, much like Morales vs Ayalia. Pac Man will move back down and eventually dominate his devision.

Barring Barrera going spastic and wading into a Pacman shot, I don't see Pacman winning this, he just doesn't have the all around skills of Barrera.

I see Barrera having to soak up some pressure in the first 4 rounds, countering successfully and finding breathing space in the middle rounds, and stopping Manny anywhere from the 7th to the 12th.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Barring Barrera going spastic and wading into a Pacman shot, I don't see Pacman winning this, he just doesn't have the all around skills of Barrera.

I see Barrera having to soak up some pressure in the first 4 rounds, countering successfully and finding breathing space in the middle rounds, and stopping Manny anywhere from the 7th to the 12th.

Yeah, thats what I'm expecting.

As Gazza is now a Wolves man, we can welcome anything he can conjure up to keep us in the Premier league!

Pac-Man seems to hit very hard with both hands, there's a chance an overconfident Barrera might be in for a shock - Jr Jones style.

But you have to like MAB in this fight, fighting in a controlled style to pick up the points, then maybe take out the smaller man later on.

But it's the year of the upset so anything might happen!