BERT SUGAR PRE-FIGHT ANALYSIS

by Bert Sugar

STRENGTHS OF BOTH FIGHTERS

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA

- As opposed to the earlier version of Barrera who was a one-dimensional slugger, today's version is a complete package, both boxer and puncher.

- A straight-up fighter, Barrera possesses an excellent jab which is powerful and long enough to keep his opponent at long range.

- Has one of the most debilitating, bone-rattling left hooks in boxing today.

- Barrera has faster hands than Marquez and is a better all-round fighter than his opponent.

- Unlike most veterans Barrera can alter his style and make adjustments to his opponent's style mid-fight.

JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ

- A strong, aggressive fighter, Marquez is at his best coming straight in.

- An excellent combination puncher, Marquez throws punches in bunches.

- Possesses an exceptional left hook on the inside, first throwing a short left to the head and then, dipping his shoulder down, ripping a hard left to the body.

- An exceptional counter puncher, Marquez likes to step back when his opponent throws a punch in an effort to make him overreach. Then, after his opponent has reached out too far, Marquez steps forward with a hard right-hand counter before his opponent can regain his balance.

WEAKNESSES OF BOTH FIGHTERS

BARRERA

- A below-average defensive fighter, Barrera has a tendency to stand-up too straight and tall and employs little head movement.

- Barrera is often off-balance, especially when he overreaches for his opponent, leaving himself open to counters.

- No longer the "Baby Face Assassin," after 18 years of boxing and several ring wars he has been showing his age of late and there's no telling when his body might desert him.

MARQUEZ

- Holds hands up high to pick off punches, leaving himself vulnerable to body shots.

- Doesn't move head well and is susceptible to straight right hands thrown down the middle.

- Better on the inside than on the outside and can be neutralized with long jabs.

- Has a tendency to become too overconfident, as he did in the first round of the Pacquiao fight, confessing to Ring magazine, "When the bell rang I began to connect with my punches. What was going though my mind was 'Hey, this is an easy fight.' Just as I finished my thought process he connected and there I was on the canvas."

WHAT EACH MUST DO TO WIN

BARRERA

- Barrera cannot be lured into exchanges with Marquez where he'll find himself in trouble.

- He must box and keep the fight at long range, controlling the action with his jab and look for openings for his right hand.

- Barrera cannot afford to overreach with his jab and leave himself open for a Marquez counter.

- Barrera must realize it's no crime to clinch and hold rather than trade hooks with Marquez, whose hook is superior.

MARQUEZ

- Must get inside Barrera's jab and work his left hook from the inside, where he negates Barrera's superior hand speed.

- From the outside Marquez must use his left hook to Barrera's exposed body.

- Vulnerable to Barrera's jab, Marquez must move his head more.

- Marquez must try to make this a war, swapping hooks with Barrera where he has an advantage.