Morales to do a Barrera?

World Boxing Council superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera did what he had to do to beat challenger Rocky Juarez in Las Vegas last Saturday even if it meant disappointing fans who were treated to a dull affair instead of an exciting brawl.

Barrera’s showing did little to enhance his marketability but at this point of his career, he’s not thinking beyond his next fight. He couldn’t risk losing to Juarez and jeopardizing a huge payday in a rematch with Manny Pacquiao.

Barrera, 32, eked out a close decision over Juarez in their first meeting in Los Angeles last May. The fight was initially declared a draw but after recomputing the judges’ scorecards, lo and behold, Barrera came out the winner.

In the return bout, Barrera refused to engage Juarez in a toe-to-toe confrontation. He jabbed, danced, jabbed again and danced again, much to Juarez’ frustration. Juarez desperately tried to goad Barrera into a slugfest but not even appealing to Barrera’s much-ballyhooed machismo worked. Barrera was content to fire away at a distance, far from harm’s way, and coast to a boring win on points.

To his discredit, Juarez had neither the smarts nor the ability to adjust to the situation. He allowed Barrera to dictate the tempo and control the fight from long range. He couldn’t cut the ring off on Barrera and winged away aimlessly, hoping by some stroke of luck, he would land a big one to end it with a flourish. Barrera, however, was far too experienced to go down from a lucky punch.

Juarez finished the fight with his right eye almost swollen shut, the result of Barrera’s piston-like jabs. Barrera, in contrast, was unmarked. Yet, if Juarez won the 12th and final round in the judges’ scorecards (which he didn’t), the fight would have ended in a majority draw. That was how close Juarez was from escaping defeat despite Barrera’s tactics.

In Barrera’s mind, caution was obviously the better part of valor because he was hardly courageous in the Juarez rematch. But he’ll willingly take the flak from fans for showing a yellow streak down his back. The bottom line was he retained his crown and kept his hopes alive for possibly, one last big paycheck in a showdown with Pacquiao.

As for Pacquiao’s part of the bargain, he’s got to beat Erik Morales on Nov. 18 to seal the Barrera deal.

Pacquiao, 27, will earn his biggest payday against Morales in "The Grand Finale," the climax of their trilogy. If he defeats "El Terrible" convincingly, the Pacman from General Santos City will likely pocket an even bigger purse in the Barrera rematch because it’s the fight that fans are hankering to watch.

Barrera hasn’t lost since bowing to Pacquiao on an 11th round knockout in 2003 and has won six straight, victimizing Paulie Ayala, Morales, Mzonke Fana, Robbie Peden and Juarez twice.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has often said Barrera is tailor-made for the Pacman because he’s a no-retreat warrior. But from what Barrera showed last Saturday, the Mexican probably won’t be as obliging in facing Pacquiao again. He’s learned his lesson from the beating he took from Pacquiao in their first bout.

If Morales watched Barrera frustrate Juarez, he’ll likely try to do the same against Pacquiao.

Morales, 30, is in the twilight of a long career, like Barrera, and his hope to bow out in a blaze of glory hinges on a decisive victory over Pacquiao. He’s also looking for that last big pot of gold at the end of his boxing rainbow and he’ll get it on Nov. 18. One last thing, Morales isn’t looking forward to getting battered like he was the first time–meaning, he’d like to go home to his new wife and their one-year-old son with his face still recognizable.

In preparing a fightplan for Morales, Pacquiao and Roach should seriously consider a strategy to counteract a Barrera reenactment against Juarez. Morales might just fight defensively, stay away from engaging in close quarters and try to pile up points from a distance where Pacquiao’s vaunted power won’t be much of a factor.

Morales’ goal is survival. And he’ll do anything to finish "The Grand Finale" on his feet and with his arms raised in triumph. If that means doing a Barrera against Pacquiao, Morales won’t hesitate to try it. "El Terrible" might be reduced to "El Cobarde" but if that’s what it will take to beat Pacquiao, Morales wouldn’t mind the humiliation. Barrera didn’t.

Postscript. Three-time Olympic cager Ramoncito Campos yesterday assured former Ambassador Carlos J. Valdes that all-around athlete Jose (Bing) Avila has been enshrined in the La Salle Sports Hall of Fame. Avila, who died saving other passengers in the sinking SS Corregidor during World War II, was inducted in the year 2000…A fund-raising golf tournament will be held at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club on Oct. 10 to celebrate Bro. Rafael Donato’s 50th anniversary as a La Salle Christian Brother for the benefit of the Foundation for Sharing La Sallian Education. The tournament fee is P2,500, inclusive of green fee, giveaway and ticket to the testimonial dinner that night. Bro. Donato is the auxiliary Christian Brothers provincial in the Philippine district and former president of the De La Salle University and System. For details, please call Ting Yupangco at 536-5215 or 0917-5365215.