Juan Manuel Marquez vs Marco Antonio Barrera

Marquez & Barrera go to war

Marquez changed Mangers and moved into the growing Golden Boy promotional stable where I am sure he was told he was now fighting for his future. After two stoppage wins against which led to Marquez picking up the interim WBO title (Which makes him the champ without being the champ) Marquez was slated to fight the reigning WBO champion Scott Harrison who’s out of the ring problems and struggle in making the weight made him a venerable champion at the time. Harrisons issues meant the fight would not happen but when one door closes another one opens and Marquez was offered a fight against promotional stable mate  and Mexico City native Marco Antonio Barrera.

Although Barrera was the number one Super Featherweight in the world but he had shown holes in his armour coasting to a 12 round decision against IBF champion and former sparring partner Robbie Peden and struggling against the good but unheralded Rocky Juarez which many felt he lost before winning a clear points decision against the same fighter in a rematch where Barrera seemed unwilling or unable to engage and excite the fans in the way he use to. This was Marquez chance to not only make his mark but to re-establish his legacy in boxing.
The fight was a classic through the first 7 rounds Marquez showed why he deserved to be on this kind of stage Barrera was fighting well and the fight was close but as each round went by my perception was that Marquez was out-boxing and out-fighting the baby face assassin in fierce flurries. Barrera’s ability to outfight opponents in furious flurries had been a staple throughout his career but Juan Manual Marquez was getting the better of these exchanges.
That seventh round was one of the most dramatic in boxing history. Juan Manual Marquez was now beginning to wear down Marco Antonio Barrera and after staggering him in the 7th round with a clear right hand Marquez fired in quick hard combinations and looked to be on the verge of stopping Barrera. Then on the bell Barrera caught Marquez with a thunderous right from nowhere which put Juan Manual Marquez down. Then madness ensued the frustration of being outfought and beaten up in the 7th caused him to hit Juan Manual Marquez while he was still down costing him a point and the round.  Marquez recovered during the 1 minute break and won a bruising but clear unanimous 12 round decision by clear scores of:
111 – 116 twice and 109 – 118 all for Marquez.