Revered Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera admitted that Manny Pacquiao has been a thorn in his side and that his battle against the Filipino sports hero is getting more personal for him.
If we read his statements between the lines, Barrera could not hide his heart’s desire of exacting vengeance at the man who dealt the bitterest and most humiliating defeat in his decorated career.
Not only that, Barrera is also aching to end Pacquiao’s rampage against Mexican warriors.
“Obviously it’s a big honor for me to be able to fight (Pacquiao again). This is a personal fight for me. It’s very personal. I’m taking it personal. He beat me so I have to get my revenge,” said Barrera.
During their first encounter, Barrera was the heavy favorite, but Pacquiao rocked the boxing world when he mercilessly destroyed Barrera in 11 rounds in one of the most shocking upsets in the history of the sport on November 16, 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Since then, Pacquiao relentlessly stomped on Mexican ring gladiators, knocking out Erik Morales twice (TKO10, KO3), Emmanuel Lucero (KO3), Jorge Eliecer Julio (KO2), Hector Velasquez (TKO6), and lately Jorge Solis (KO7). The Pacman also flattened Juan Manuel Marquez three times in the first round only that Marquez gallantly recovered to forge a 12-round majority draw.
“Pacquiao has been a thorn in my side because he’s beaten so many Mexicans and obviously I want to put a stop to that I mean, he’s beaten not only me. Other Mexicans have suffered at, you know, and been, you know, they’ve been defeated by him. So I want to put a stop to that,” said Barrera.
With regards to his fight plan, Barrera said there’s no changes in his style and he’s going to fight the same way in the past.
“I’m going to make a good fight. I think that the public is going to be very, very happy. It’s going to be a very good fight. They’re going to like the fight. You know, there’s not too much I can change. I’m 33 years old. I’ve been boxing. I have my style,” said Barrera.
“People know the way I fight. Everybody knows me. You know, I really can’t go into details, but I’m just going to make it a good fight. It’s going to be a very good fight,” he added.
Barrera believed Pacquiao is a more complete fighter now, but said he has all the experience to make things happen.
“Manny has way more experience and he’s become more of a complete fighter. He’s refined his tools and I just think that he’s more of a complete fighter now,” said Barrera.
“But basically it’s like any other fight. You know, sometimes experience beats a young guy that’s at his peak. And that’s what I have. I have a lot of experience. And it’s not whether I can get up to my A game or to his level. It’s about using my experience and doing my plan of fight and that’s what’s going to help me be victorious.”