COMPUBOX POST-FIGHT ANALYSIS:
BARRERA VS. JUAREZ

May 22, 2006
- by Joe Carnicelli/Compubox

Barrera successfully defended his World Boxing Council super featherweight title and earned his 62nd victory Saturday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles with a bitterly contested 12-round split decision over former Rocky Juarez. The 32-year-old Barrera had to survive one of the toughest bouts in his illustrious 16-year career and then get the benefit of a late scoring change to emerge with the victory.

Many in the crowd of over 10,000 at Staples Center and a good portion of HBO's television audience, however, were unaware of Barrera's victory. The original decision announced by Michael Buffer had Duane Ford giving Juarez a 115-113 advantage, Anek Hongtogkham giving Barrera a 115-113 edge and Ken Morita scoring it even at 114-114 for a draw. But about 15 minutes after most of the arena had emptied and about five minutes after HBO Sports had signed off the air, word came from the California State Athletic Commission that the scorecards had been tabulated incorrectly. Morita had scored the last round even at 10-10 instead of the original listing of Juarez 10-9, giving the four-time champion Barrera the one point needed to win.

The tabulating snafu ruined what was otherwise a thrilling bout that brought out the best in both fighters. It was a duel between Barrera's stinging jab and occasional body work against Juarez' power punching.

Barrera dominated the early going with his jab. He outlanded Juarez 19-7 in the opening round, connecting on 13 jabs, and seven of his 11 connects in the second round were jabs. Barrera opened a cut on Juarez' right eyelid in the opening round and Juarez retaliated with a wicked left hook in the second that brought blood gushing from Barrera's nose. Barrera appeared to be in complete control until another huge left hook from Juarez with 10 seconds left in the third round splattered blood across his face and signaled that the fight was on.

Juarez, a notoriously slow starter, began to increase the pressure but Barrera still had a 50-35 connect advantage through the first four rounds. But while he still controlled action with his jab, Barrera's face began showing damage from Juarez' power shots. Barrera still maintained a 112-67 connect advantage through eight rounds but he was punching going in reverse and Juarez was building momentum. Juarez had a 15-8 advantage in power connects in the 10th and a 20-15 advantage in power shots in the 11th to set up the race to the finish line. Barrera landed 23 of 71 total punches in the 11th and Juarez connected on 23 of 91 in the round, the highest thrown and landed figures for each fighter in the bout.

In the final round, Juarez outlanded the fading Barrera 14-11 in total connects and 12-5 in power shots but only Hongtogkham gave Juarez a 10-9 edge in the round. Both Ford and Morita, after the recount, called it an even round.

Barrera, who had a three-inch reach advantage, dominated in jabs, landing 84 of 363 (23 per cent) to only 30 of 277 (11 per cent) for Juarez. Juarez was more effective in power punching, landing 105 of 374 power shots (28 per cent) to 84 of 272 (31 per cent) for Barrera. Overall, Barrera had a slight edge, landing 168 of 635 total punches to 135 of 651 for Juarez.

"I didn't take him lightly," said Barrera, now 62-4. "He's a tough guy, a real hard puncher. He's got good power in both hands. He put up a good fight but I think I did enough to win. We had the experience to come through."

Juarez' mood went from disappointment to dismay after the change in scores sent the 2000 Olympic silver medallist to his second defeat in 27 pro bouts.

"At first, I was disappointed that I received a draw, but I was willing to accept a draw with a great champion like Marco Antonio Barrera," said Juarez. "When they told me that they had changed the decision and that I lost the fight, I was very disappointed. I felt it was a good fight and I firmly believe I am the champion. I would love a rematch."