CLOSE, BUT NOT TOO

Going into this match, a lot of talk revolved around a younger and potentially more refreshed Rocky Juarez, who might have benefited more from the recovery time since the first fight against Marco Antonio Barrera. Theory was: It's possible that given a rematch of the same velocity and power of the first fight, Juarez may be able to overpower and out fight the older Barrera. That is, if the second fight at all resembled the first.

As is often the case, the reality was much different than the fantasy. The older, but perhaps in this case, more experienced and veteran fighter seemed to come out with a game plan he mostly did not stray from. "I gave him a boxing lesson and that's exactly what I intended to do..." Barrera said after the fight. The results of that lesson? A unanimous decision for Barrera, with the judges scoring it 117-11, 115-113 and 115-113.

"I'm the champion," Barrera said, "I moved very fast and used my jab." More than that, Barrera was almost overly cautious tonight, perhaps remembering all too well the surprise he felt during the fist fight, facing up against a powerfully eager Juarez who toed the line and swung shot for shot against the fighter. In many ways Barrera did indeed show why he is the champion. Winning is the game and Barrera made all the right moves against Juarez, who at first look seemed the more aggressive and eager fighter, but who in fact threw fewer and landed less punches than Barrera. "He smothered me every time I tried to get inside... I went in with the same game plan as the first fight. I was the aggressor again. He didn't want to fight. He never hurt me once except when he hit me in the eye."

It was in the sixth round when Rocky's eye looked as if it was swelling up enough to give him trouble. Juarez still tenaciously attacked Barrera, who remained patient and guarded, as he tapped Rocky's eye repeatedly, jabbing fast and connecting 28% of his 369 jabs. And while many of Barrera's punches had little affect on Juarez, who consistently attacked Barrera, it was the older fighters strategy of waiting, watching and landing more cleanly that clearly landed him the victory tonight. It wasn't the same fight that viewers watched in May, but it was what both fighters claimed to desire and what the man who still retains his belt received: A decisive victory.