COMPUBOX POST FIGHT ANALYSIS

by Bob Canobbio/Compubox

Marco Antonio Barrera promised to take Rocky Juarez to school Saturday night in the rematch of their controversial May 20 first fight. They went to school alright, and it was like sitting through eight periods of chemistry labs.

Barrera started the first period (I mean round) fast, throwing and landing a fight-high 63 punches, landing 25. The tone was set as well- of those 63 total punches, 41 were jabs, with 15 landing. He also hit on 10 of 22 power shots- his high totals in that department for the fight as well. The obedient student Juarez responded with just 48 total punches of his own- but only 12 power shots, landing 3.

Barrera slowed the pace some in round two, throwing 48 punches, but landing 18, including 12 of 31 jabs and 6 of 17 power shots. Rocky was again outpunched, throwing 45 total punches, landing 10, but only 5 of 28 power shots.

Rocky out threw Barrera 51-47 in the third and had a 9-6 edge in power connects, winning him the round on 2 judges cards. Showing signs of life, Juarez landed 11 of 56 total punches in round four to 11 of 42 for Barrera and 14 of 48 in the fifth to 12 of 30 for Marco. Despite the Juarez awakening, judge Hubert Minn (117-111 Barrera) gave both rounds to Barrera. Chuck Giampa(115-113 Barrera) went Rocky's way for both rounds, while Dave Moretti (115-113 Barrera) gave Barrera the fourth and Juarez the fifth.

Barrera took the sixth on all cards, as Rocky slipped to just 40 punches thrown, landing 10, while Marco hit on 15 of 44, including 8 of 30 jabs.

Here's where the scorecards of Giampa and Moretti get real interesting. They both had Rocky sweeping the next three rounds to go up by a point, 86-85 thru nine rounds. The stats show Rocky with a 29-13 edge in power connects in rounds 7 thru 9, with Marco holding a 38-33 edge in total connects, courtesy of a 25-4 edge in jab connects. Marco threw 41 total punches in the 7th, 44 in the 8th and 45 in the 9th. Rocky got off 42 in the 7th, 42 in the 8th and 42 in the 9th- consistent for sure, but enough to win all three rounds?

Like all great champions, Barrera stepped on the gas pedal over the last three rounds, throwing 51 punches in the 10th, 54 in the 11th and 55 in the 12th- his highest totals since the opening round. Rocky got off 50 in the 10th, but landed just 13 to Barrera's 18. Rocky then slipped to 45 thrown in the 11th, lanbding 14 to Barrera's 15 landed. Both rounds to Barrera on all cards.

Juarez now trailed but just a single point on Giampa & Moretti's cards going into the 12th round. If he steps it up and wins the round, the fight's a majority draw and he probably gets a third fight with Barrera.

Rocky responded by throwing just 33 total punches- his low output for the fight!!! Barrera got off 55, won the round on all cards and walked away with a unanimous decision win.

Trainer George Benton had a philosophy he shared with his fighters, most notably Pernell Whitaker. It went: "win today, look good tomorrow." This was Barrera's thinking as well. With the lackluster win (and $1 million payday) over Juarez, he keeps his hopes alive for much more lucrative payday against Manny Pacquiao, possibly next March, should Pac Man get by Erik Morales on November 18th.

The final stats showed Barrera landing 178 of 564 (32%) total punches to 134 of 542 (25%) for Juarez, who actually threw 109 LESS punches than in their first fight. Barrera landed 105 of 369 (285) jabs to 34 of 198 for Juarez (17%). Rocky had a 100-73 edge in power connects, throwing 344, landing 29% to 195 for Barrera, who landed 37% of his non-jabs.