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HBO Boxing After Dark Recap

"Will to Win"  Pacquiao/Barrera 2

October 6, 2007

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino-Las Vegas, Nevada

WBC International Super Featherweight (130 pounds) 12-Round Championship Match:

Manny Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KO's, 130 pounds) (c) vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (63-5, 1 NC, 42 KO's, 130 pounds)

Pacquiao won this title when it was vacant over Hector Velazquez via round 6 technical knockout on September 10, 2005. The title was previously held by Erik Morales, who vacated the championship to move up in weight, and challenge Zahir Raheem for a title at 135 pounds. Pacquiao is making his fifth defense of this title.

The Beatles once claimed to be bigger then Jesus. In the Philippines, Pacquiao, actually is bigger then Jesus on the days he boxes. On days Pacquiao boxes, the majority Christian military enacts unofficial cease fires between itself and the Muslim rebels and the communist rebels (who are waging separate civil wars on the government). That way everyone in a show of national unity can watch the matches. The military has arranged cable service to the bases for the soldiers to watch Pacquiao. Crime in the country virtually disappears the days Pacquiao boxes, because the criminals are watching Pacquiao, too. (Thanks to Mike Sempervive.) Pacquiao is the biggest sport, music and movie star in the Philippines. The first single Pacquiao released, translated to "This Fight is For You", was a hit song, that touched on nationalistic themes. According to imdb.com, he has already completed filming 4 movies, and is filming a fifth. That movie, which imdb.com does not translate into English, adds the title of executive producer to Pacquiao's responsibilities. Pacquiao, even ran for congressional seat. His expensive election campaign failed and it has been partially attributed to Pacquiao's fans feeling that his time in congress would hinder his time boxing, and voted against him.

Pacquiao became a boxing superstar by defeating Barrera in their first match at 2:56 of round 11 via technical knockout on November 15, 2003. The match ended at that time when Barrera's corner man entered the ring to save his boxer from taking anymore punches in a lopsided match, after Barrera was knocked down for the second time in the match.

Pacquiao's focus on boxing has been questioned recently, though. The election he was involved in was held on May 17, 2007, which was a 34 days after his last match. Meaning Pacquiao had spent a lot of the time he should have spent training for the match campaigning. The champion's trainer, Freddie Roach, says the lifestyle Pacquiao leads will catch up with him in the ring, it is just a matter of time. Pacquiao has stayed married to the same woman since, before he became the biggest star in the Philippines. However, a waitress at a Manila nightclub has filed a $250,000 paternity suit against the boxer for child support claiming he fathered a child with her during a brief affair. Pacquiao is currently reported to be in a romantic relationship with the co-star of the movie he is filming, while still living at home with his wife. Pacquiao changed training camp locations from Los Angeles to the Philippines saying Barrera had "spies" at Roach's gym. The champion's romantic involvements are believed to be the real culprit for the change in training venue. Pacquiao is alleged to bet over $100,000 at a time at casino's, on billiards, and cockfighting, which is legal in the Philippines (and Louisiana). Pacquiao is rumored to be a frequent visitor to nightclubs, and while he was supposed to be preparing for this match, on August 1 filed a lawsuit against a 4 newspaper reporters that printed some of the allegations against him. The champion is seeking in excess of $500,000 from the reporters. (Pacquiao was reportedly paid over $2 million for this match, plus a share of the PPV revenue and the usual bonuses.)

The champion was supposed to take a break from shooting his current film, and relocate to Los Angeles to begin training in the second week of July. Without telling Roach, Pacquiao canceled his flight, and no showed the training. Pacquiao never gave Roach a time, when he would arrive, only that he was training back in the Philippines. The champion arrived in Los Angeles for a press conference to promote this match in the second week of August, and was to begin training with Roach the next day. Without telling Roach, Pacquiao flew back to the Philippines later that night. Roach eventually traveled to the Philippines to hold an abbreviated training camp with Pacquiao, but the conditions were less then ideal. Pacquiao's runs were interrupted by time to take pictures and sign autographs. The gym was full of gawkers to watch Pacquiao work out, which impeded quality training. Pacquiao would take time out from training to go play for the professional basketball team he owns. The champion also, took a weekend off of training to sign a deal with a television station to host a rip-off of "The Contender" and develop a TV series in which he would star.

Pacquiao's last match was a knockout win over Jorge Solis, 1:16 into round 8 on April 14, 2007 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Pacquiao is ranked by The Ring magazine as the number 1 contender to its vacant championship at 130 pounds, and the number 2 pound-for-pound best boxer in the world, behind only Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Barrera began boxing professionally at 15-years-old on November 22, 1989. The challenger has compiled a Hall of Fame career winning world championships at 122, 126, and 130 pounds.

The Mexico native's preparation for the first match with Pacquiao was beset with distractions. Barrera was in the middle of an ugly break up with his long time promoter and manager, prior to the match making his business life unpleasant. A person within the previous promoter's camp leaked to the press that Barrera had brain surgery in 1997, and had been boxing with a metal plate in his head ever since. No commission had ever been informed of the condition by Barrera's people, or had a commission performed a routine examination of Barrera's brain in the 6 years since the surgery to see if he was in shape to box. When the information became public, Marquez was ordered to undergo a battery of medical tests to make sure it was safe for him to box. He also, had to deal with a great deal of media scrutiny and requests following the revelations. Things only got worse for Marquez when a wildfire near Big Bear, California where he was training at the time forced him to temporarily relocate his training camp.

For the rematch however, Barrera is training at high altitude near his home in Mexico. His longtime trainer has left his camp, but his two assistant trainers have taken over the duties. Reportedly his training camp has gone very well, and been distraction free.

Barrera is coming off a controversial 12 round unanimous decision loss to Juan Manuel Marquez on March 17, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The referee incorrectly ruled a knockdown Barrera scored in round 7 a slip, and penalized Barrera an additional point for hitting Marquez when Marquez was on the canvas. Had the round been scored for Barrera, 10-8, Marquez would have still won a unanimous decision. Though, it would have been a closer decision.

Barrera is ranked by The Ring magazine as the number 3 contender at 130 pounds.

Pacquiao has the age advantage at 28-years-old, compared to the 33-year-old Barrera. The champion has the height advantage at 5' 6.5" tall, while Barrera stands 5' 6" tall. Pacquiao has a 25" arm length measured from the armpit to the end of the fist, and Barrera has 24.5" arm length measured the same way. Unofficially, Pacquiao has gained an astonishing, 14 pounds re-hydrating after weigh-ins, and is up to 144 pounds approaching match time. Barrera made the weight easily, and is up to 138 pounds on the unofficial scales approaching match time. The champion will employ the southpaw stance, and the challenger will box out of the orthodox stance. Pacquiao is a 3.5 to 1 betting favorite at the start of the match.

The unified rules of boxing are in effect for this contest. The referee is the excellent Tony Weeks.

Barrera wins a tactical round 1 on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9. Pacquiao wins it on the other judge's scorecard, 10-9. Barrera was warned twice in round 1 for holding behind the head of Pacquiao. Very good and difficult to score round 2 boxed at a faster pace, then round 1. Pacquiao wins round 2, on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, and Barrera wins the round on the other scorecard, 10-9.  Pacquiao scores well with his straight left hand in round 3. The champion wins the round on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, and Barrera wins the other scorecard, 10-9. After 3 rounds, the official scores have it in favor of Pacquiao via split decision: 30-27, 29-28, 27-30.

The challenger has tied up Pacquiao several times on the inside, and during every clinch Pacquiao says something to Barrera. The curious thing about that, is that the boxers do not share a common language. Therefore, it is unclear if what Pacquiao is saying makes sense to Barrera. Barrera has not started talking back to Pacquiao, for whatever good that would do. All of the judges scored round 4 for Pacquiao, 10-9. Both boxers decide to let their hands drop and trade punches in an exciting round 5. Pacquiao won round 5 on 2 official scorecards, 10-9, while Barrera picked up the third card, 10-9. Through 5 rounds Barrera has landed 33 of the 101 power punches he has thrown, for a 33% power connect percentage. Pacquiao has landed 71 of the 135 power punches he has thrown, for a 53% power connect percentage. Pacquiao wins round 6 on all of the judges scorecards, 10-9. After 6 rounds, the official scores have Pacquiao winning via majority decision: 59-55, 57-57, 59-55.

The champion wins round 7 on all of the judges' scorecards, 10-9. Barrera wins round 8 on 2 official scorecards, 10-9, while Pacquiao wins the other, 10-9. Pacquiao sweeps round 9 on the official scorecards, 10-9. After 9 rounds the champion is winning the match on all the official scorecards: 88-83, 86-85, 89-82. Through 9 rounds in their first match, Barrera had landed 156 total punches. At the same point in this match, the challenger has landed 87 total punches. Pacquiao in the first match had landed 261 total punches through the first 9 rounds. In this match, Pacquiao has landed 172 total punches through the first 9 rounds.

The challenger wins round 10 on 2 of the judges' scorecards, 10-9, and Pacquiao wins the other, 10-9. With 41 seconds to go in round 11, Barrera throws a hard right hand to Pacquiao's head while the referee is separating the boxers. The referee calls timeout and Pacquiao is staggering around the ring in the corner. The champion is holding on to the ropes for balance to stay standing. When Barrera is sent to a neutral corner, he is bleeding heavily under his right eye. That cut may have been caused by a headbutt, and triggered Barrera's intentional foul of Pacquiao. The cut is not in a dangerous place for Barrera, and should play no factor in the match. However, the doctor is in the corner checking on the champion who does not look to be in great shape. Barrera is being deducted 1 point for hitting on the break, and action is resumed, after about a minute break. That does not appear to have been enough time for Pacquiao to fully recover from the foul. Barrera did not follow up on the opportunity of a dazed Pacquiao with an onslaught of punches, and allowed the champion to get back to his corner easily. All of the judges score round 11 for Pacquiao, 10-8. Replay appears to show that the cut below Barrera's eye was caused by a punch, not a headbutt. With 1:26 to go in round 12, Barrera comes in wildly chasing after Pacquiao, and loses his balance touching a glove to the canvas. The referee correctly rules that Barrera slipped. The action is immediately restarted, with 1:23 to go in the final round.

The official decision as read by Michael Buffer is that the judges have scored the match: 118-109, 118-109, 115-112, all for the winner by unanimous decision, and still WBC International Super Featherweight Champion, Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao. The win moves Pacquiao to 45-3-2, with 35 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Barrera announced his retirement in the press conference following the match. This was not a strong performance to end a great career.

The champion was unimpressive in victory. He won this match by being faster and stronger then Barrera, and was never seriously tested in the match. It appears Pacquiao should have been able to do more, but was not consistently aggressive. He has made a reputation as an action packed boxer, but Pacquiao seemed overly patient in this match. He seemed to be cruising for a large portion of this match, and not giving his best effort. The champion can be a lot better then he was in this match. Pacquiao has already reserved March 1, 2008 for his next match on HBO pay-per-view. He may move up to 135 pounds to challenge David Diaz for a share of the title at that weight in that match. Pacquiao may also stay at 130 pounds. The options there are for him to face the winner of the Joan Guzman-Humberto Soto match on November 17 or have a rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez, stemming from their controversial draw in 2004. 

Skip this portion of the telecast.  The match was not entertaining.  It was a match where one boxer no longer had what it takes to give an elite performance, and the other did not feel like giving an elite performance.  Fans of Barrera looking to see his last match, should pretend it was months ago, and forget this event exists.