In just a few hours, we shall know who between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera will capture the WBC International Super Featherweight Title in a rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.Kevin Lole of Yahoo! Sports has this interesting post, wherein he ennumerated each boxer's keys to victory. He also gave ratings to both Pacquiao and Barrera, with Pacquiao having 3 points more than his rival.
To quote from Lole's article:
PACQUIAO’S KEYS
1. Throw the hook: Pacquiao is a southpaw and tends to get left-hand crazy. But trainer Freddie Roach has worked hard at improving his right. Knowing Barrera will probably jab a lot, the hook will be a critical weapon for Pacquiao.
2. Force the pace: Pacquiao is younger and undoubtedly in better condition. He should force Barrera to fight at a fast pace and not let him get into a comfort zone where he can find built-in rest periods
3. Avoid the ropes: Pacquiao should keep the fight in the center of the ring where his hand and foot speed will be more pronounced.
4. Back him up: Barrera is much better when he's the one who is moving forward.
BARRERA'S KEYS
1. Rough him up: Barrera knows all the tricks and should use them to make it a physical fight.
2. Jab, jab, jab: The best way to neutralize Pacquiao's speed advantage is to keep a hard jab pumping at him.
3. Close the distance: Barrera should not allow Pacquiao room to throw his powerful left.
4. Uppercut: Pacquiao tends to punch wide when he's in an exchange and he's frequently open for an uppercut up the middle.
He also scored the two boxers on different categories. Based on the scores, Pacquiao possesses greater punching power, speed and quickness, stamina and corner. Barrera, on one hand, has greater body attack, jab, intangibles and is more intelligent. Tallying the scores, Pacquiao has 87 while Barrera gets 84, concluding that the Filipino boxer is stronger, faster and in better shape.
Pacquiao's record is 44-3-2, with 35 knockouts) while Barrera has 63-5, 42 KOs.
Tonight's (today in the Philippines) judges are Tom Schreck, Jerry Roth and Glenn Trowbridge.
Featured undercard bouts:
Steven Luevano (33-1, 15 KOs) vs. Antonio Davis (24-3, 12 KOs), WBO world featherweight title, 12 rounds;
Librado Andrade (25-1, 19 KOs) vs. Yusaf Mack (23-1-2, 14 KOs), USBA super middleweight title, 12 rounds;
Francisco Bojado (18-2, 12 KOs) vs. Steve Forbes (32-5, 9 KOs), junior welterweights, 10 rounds
Others:
Vicente Escobedo vs Miguel Angel Munguia;
Michael Farenas vs Arturo Valenzuela;
Rock Allen vs Alejandro Ramiro Guzman;
Alejandro Perez vs Jaime Villa;
Vernie Torres vs Manuel Sarabia;
Ana Julaton vs Hondi Hernandez
Read Manny Pacquiao's message to his countrymen hours before the bout.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Star
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