First fight leaves both fighters looking for redemption
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
September 13, 2006

All the obligatory media conference calls and press conferences have been done, both fighters have exchanged their respectfully professional comments in regards to each other, and now all that’s left is the fight.

The first fight between WBC Super Featherweight Champion Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez, this past May 20th, was an exciting twelve round classic battle between a legendary champion and a young, worthy challenger; and their efforts pleased the Los Angeles, Staples Center, crowd and made the boxing world proud.

That feeling would be very short lived…..
The judge’s scorecards initially announced the fight as a draw, and many felt that was a favorable verdict for the champion who certainly hadn’t fought his best over the last half of the bout. Less than a half hour later the draw was changed to a split decision victory for Barrera, due to an inexplicable error in the tallying of the scorecards. That once proud feeling, now turned to yet, another black eye.

While many would say that Barrera escaped with his belt, others could rightfully counter that Juarez waited too long to seize the moment and was too cautious fighting to become a world champion.

While the Barrera vs. Juarez II fightcard has been aptly labeled "Too Close To Call", both fighters seem to think that the judges will be having an easier time scoring their rematch.

"I was upset because I left the outcome in the judges hands for our last fight," stated Juarez, a silver medalist in the 2000 Olympics, adding "I started too late and lost the first few rounds, I’m going to be more aggressive and take the fight to him this time. I’m going to fight the best style necessary to win!"

Just as confident, and displaying championship class to go along with a 62-4 (42 KO’s) record and his status as one of Mexico’s greatest all-time fighters, Barrera spoke via conference call; with another legendary fighter Oscar De La Hoya, doing the translating. "No excuses, I was in shape for the first fight and I’m in great shape now. I’m facing a hungry and young Rocky Juarez, but there will be no doubt this time to the winner." Barrera, one of the prized fighters in De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions stable reiterated his feelings, "I will teach him (Juarez) a lesson, come September 16th I will take him by the hand and teach him a good lesson."

The Barrera vs. Juarez II - "Too Close To Call" fight card is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Main Events Promotions, and will be telecast via HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9PM ET/6 PM PT this Saturday (Sept. 16) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling (702) 474-4000.

As if the Barrera-Juarez II world title fight isn’t enough, there will two other world championship matches scheduled for Saturday night.

WBO Jr. Lightweight title holder Jorge Barrios (46-2-1, with 33 KO’s) takes on the dangerous Joan Guzman (25-0, 17 KO’s). Barrios is remembered for giving Acelino Freitas all he could handle in their 2003 brawl, which was voted "fight of the year". Frietas prevailed via 12th round TKO and Barrios has been unbeatable since, earning his WBO belt and winning his last seven bouts. Guzman is labeled a "can’t miss" prospect.

Israel Vasquez (40-3, 29 KO’s) will be tested in the defense of his WBC Jr. Featherweight championship by Jhonny Gonzalez (33-4, 28 KO’s). The exciting Vasquez, trained by the highly regarded Freddie Roach, will need to be 100% in this battle for his belt, and Mexican bragging rights.

The highly touted and irrepressible eighteen year old Jorge Paez Jr., will also be featured. Taking on Julio Chavez (6-2-1, 2 KO‘s), Paez will look to impress, and improve on his perfect 10-0 record, which includes seven knockouts.

A great night on boxing appears to be in line for this Saturday night, thanks to Golden Boy Promotions, Main Events and HBO.