Marco Antonio Barrera v Rocky Juarez
Marco Antonio Barrera v Rocky Juarez
After going the distance, all three judges gave Barrera the points victory after a workmanlike yet commanding performance as his American challenger was left to do the chasing.
Judges awarded Barrera the victory by 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 in a rematch of a May bout in LA that ended in a controversial triumph for the same man.
On that occasion Juarez left the ring thinking he had a draw, only to find out minutes later the scores were added wrong and that he had actually lost the decision.
This time there was no mistake but it was a rather tedious bout which was often booed by the disappointed the crowd who paid for much more action than was provided.
There were no knockdowns, no big punches and the most noteable moment came at the end of the fight when Barrera taunted the 2000 Olympic silver medalist in the final seconds and then tried to go after him after the final bell.
But afterwards the Mexican, who improved his record to 63-4, was delighted with the victory.
“I moved very fast, I used my jab. I knew if I had to take him to the school I would do it,” he said.
“I learned never fight to the level to the challenger,” Barrera said. “I’m the champion. I need to use my experience.”
Juarez, now 25-3, believed the pivotal moment came in the fifth round where a Barrera uppercut caught his right eye, causing it to swell.
“He caught me with a good uppercut and closed my eye,” Juarez said.
“He fought a good fight. He kept a good jab. He kept retreating. I wasn’t able to get a very good shot at him. When I got inside he wouldn’t trade with me.
“He just smothered me and waited for the referee to break him up.” Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao is the rival Barrera wants next. “He’s the best fighter for me,” he said. “He throws punches very fast.”
