Lawsuit may stall Pacquiao-Barrera

Uncrowned featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera may be prevented by a looming court suit to fight International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-bantamweight titlist Manny Pacquiao in November because of his recent "unresolved" breakup from manager Ricardo Maldonado and the Forum Boxing promotions group.

Barrera declared himself a free agent last June, severing ties with Maldonado and Forum Boxing which used to be controlled by Los Angeles Lakers team owner Jerry Buss. He then signed a contract to fight for Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

When Buss left Forum Boxing, vice president John Jackson–also the offensive coach of the University of Las Vegas at Nevada football squad–took over the outfit. Forum Boxing, however, was limited in scope, interests and resources. Because its fortunes revolved around only one star, Forum Boxing was often referred to as Barrera Boxing. Maldonado brokered the deal for Barrera to fight under Forum Boxing’s aegis in 1992.

De la Hoya actively pursued Barrera to join his one-year-old group which also lists World Boxing Council (WBC) superbantamweight champion Oscar Larios and former titleholder Jesse James Leija as stablemates.

"If legal issues do not keep him sidelined, Barrera will box in November," said Boxing News editor Claude Abrams. "Barrera is considering his options, having been made official contender to new World Boxing Organization champion Manuel Medina. But Barrera is also examining the possibility of tackling Pacquiao who is eager to join the 126-pound division which is boiling over with talent."

Home Box Office (HBO) is clearing the way for a Pacquiao-Barrera showdown on Nov. 1 or 15 in Las Vegas, Los Angeles or Texas. But HBO’s Kerry Davis admitted, "We’re concerned about the litigation." Still, Davis said the duel is "a fight we’d like to have."

If the fight pushes through, Larios will see action in the undercard. Larios is being groomed to face the Pacquiao-Barrera survivor.

Abrams noted that a crimp in the plans is an IBF edict ordering Pacquiao to stake his crown against Jose Luis Valbuena in a mandatory defense by September.

The website boxinggladiators.com said Golden Boy chief executive officer Richard Shaffer is working out the details of staging the Pacquiao-Barrera bout.

"Pacquiao called out all of the featherweights after his fight (against Emmanuel Lucero) and Barrera is the first one to answer the challenge," said the website.

Barrera, who scoffed at WBC recognition because of his defiant refusal to pay its sanction fees, has a 57-3 record with 40 KOs. He has won his last eight fights and lost only to Junior Jones twice and Erik Morales in a career that started in 1989. Barrera is coming off a fourth round stoppage of Kevin Kelly last April.

Although he’s known for his sturdy chin, Barrera has been floored thrice in his career–by Agapito Sanchez (who once fought Pacquiao to a technical draw), Kennedy McKinney and Jones. Pacquiao has been decked by Rustico Torrecampo, Medgeon 3-K Battery, Nedal Hussein and Serik Yeshmangbetov.

Clearly, Barrera isn’t invincible. Veteran trainer Don Turner, who has worked the corners of Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield, said Barrera commits basic mistakes then tries to overcome them with power and fortitude. "Barrera fights square," said Turner. "He gives you very little head movement. When Barrera’s finished punching, his head is right there to be hit. He has problems with guys standing at an angle."

But since losing to Morales three years ago, Barrera changed his style and hasn’t lost. The Baby-Faced Assassin has become less of a devil-may-care slugger and more of a calculating stylist.

"Barrera can still attack with the best of them but he’s found that a little side-to-side footwork and a stiff jab have allowed him to weather his opponent’s storm to land his own punches," wrote Tommy Deas in citing the Mexican as one of the world’s top 10 defensive fighters today in KO Magazine (July 2003).

Another possible Pacquiao oppnent Paulie Ayala is set to fight on Oct. 17 in Fort Worth, Texas, but no opponent has been named. It will be Ayala’s first outing since losing to Morales in a WBC title fight last November.

Asked whom he prefers to battle next, Pacquiao pointed to Ayala. It’s no coincidence that Ayala is also the choice of Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach.

But if Barrera is ready and the price is right, Pacquiao said he’ll take on the consensus people’s featherweight champion anytime, anywhere.