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 Paulie Ayala Seeking Perfect World Against Marco Antonio Barrera
By David A. Avila (June 17, 2004)
Photo © HoganPhotos.com
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EAST LOS ANGELES - Texan Paulie Ayala, who was voted Fighter of the Year five years ago, is in California to face one of the best fighters to ever cross his path in Marco Antonio Barrera.
Considered the true junior featherweight world champion by The Ring Magazine, Ayala faces the recently deposed featherweight king, Barrera, who is coming off a knockout defeat.
Barrera (57-4, 40 KOs) and Ayala will meet Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson. The fight will also be shown on HBO. But this match is worth seeing in person.
"When it was first presented to me I said let’s do this," said Ayala (35-2, 12 KOs), who lives and trains in his native Fort Worth, Texas. "I got excited."
Ayala knows that Barrera was just recently considered one of the three best prizefighters in the world, but then fought another junior featherweight moving up in weight, Manny Pacquiao, and was soundly beaten.
"That wasn't the real Barrera, he was just a punching bag for Pacquiao," Ayala, who watched the fight on television, said. "He had some issues to deal with. His head wasn't on right."
Based on Barrera’s performances against Erik Morales, Naseem Hamed and Kevin Kelley, the fighter who was accustomed to winning and filling seats at the Great Western Forum, seemed ready to clean out the 126-pound division. Now Barrera is looking for vindication and Ayala stands in his way.
"Unfortunately I have to prepare for the one that has been winning," said Ayala chuckling. "In a perfect world I’d be training for the other one."
Now, like Pacquiao, Ayala is moving up to the featherweight division to test his unique defensive prowess against one of the best offensive machines.
The Fort Worth native relies on his cagey defensive moves to deflect, block and slip punches by lightning-fast opponents eager to add his name to their list of victims. His defense is often overlooked.
"I have to re-train myself every fight," said Ayala, who works out at his home. "I'm not naturally gifted like other fighters."
Ayala lost 18 months ago to the other Mexican great, Morales. The taste of defeat wasn't something he relished and says it was his only real defeat. He was tagged with a prior loss to then-bantamweight world title-holder Joichiro Tatsuyoshi before 20,000 Japanese fans in a technical decision because of a cut.
"I only consider my loss to Erik Morales as a real loss," Ayala said after training at the Golden Boy Boxing Gym in East Los Angeles. "I did learn a few things on how to fight featherweights better."
For one reason or another the quiet Texan has always been a long shot against the better-known sluggers in the game. Whether it was Johnny Tapia, Johnny Bredahl or Bones Adams, the 34-year-old boxer usually gets overlooked because of his lack of firepower.
Defense and discipline are burned into him like a long burning coal; it may look cool on the outside, but it's simmering hot on the inside. That's Ayala. And it's not by accident.
Since childhood, Ayala was raised as a Marine by his dad, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict and instilled the values of a Marine grunt.
"Semper fi," says Ayala, 34, remembering his childhood days of Marine indoctrination. "Always faithful."
Though he refused to join the corps, he took the requisite tests and was about to sign the final documents, but walked away from the recruiting station still a civilian.
It was a move that upset his father, but Ayala maintains those values and never-say-die mentality.
"I was taught to see things all the way through," he said by telephone. "I know the value of discipline and determination."
Now Ayala faces another crossroads of sorts and though he respects and admires the accomplishments of Barrera, he wants victory badly.
"In a perfect world I would win and he would win," Ayala said. "But that's not going to happen."
Jermain Taylor and Raul Marquez fight
Arkansas boxer Jermain Taylor faces his sternest test when he battles Raul Marquez, the former IBF junior middleweight title-holder, at the Home Depot Center this Saturday.
"I’m looking forward to it," said Taylor, who often hears about his not fighting tough opponents. "If all goes well I expect it to be a good fight."
They don’t come tougher than Marquez. Forget about the tuxedo he wears while doing commentary for television, The Houston, Texas native only has two losses on his resume and both were to world title-holders Fernando Vargas and Yory Boy Campas. His fight against Shane Mosley was stopped and called a no-decision because of a bad cut he suffered in an accidental clash of heads.
"I expect a good fight," said Marquez. "I know he has a good jab so that’s what I’m looking for in this fight."
Both Taylor and Marquez are former U.S. Olympians and respect each other’s talent. They know what it takes to make the team.
"Yeah, he’s a former Olympian too," said Taylor, who says his time spent with the American team during the opening ceremonies in Australia was his favorite moment to date. "He’s a good fighter and a veteran."
Philippine Sluggers in town
Glenn and Nonito Donaire from the Philippines will be on the fight card at the Quiet Cannon on Friday in Montebello.
Glenn Donaire (11-1, 7 KOs) faces veteran Mexican fighter Rafael Chavez (14-17-1) in a flyweight match and Nonito Donaire (7-1, 5 KOs) is matched against Luis Martinez (7-5) in a bantamweight bout.
The Donaire brothers are both amiable fighters who really don’t look like boxers. Both smile readily and are eager to talk with fans. But inside the ring, they possess serious firepower and speed to go along with their height. It’s their first appearance in Southern California. They mainly fight in Northern California and live in San Leandro.
Also appearing on the fight card will be Scrappy Ortiz, Joey Aragon and Heather Percival of Fontana.
The Donaire brothers and Manny Pacquiao remind boxing fans that there are many talented fighters that come from the Philippines but are seldom seen in this country. It’s a great opportunity to see their fighting style. The first card begins at 7:30 p.m.
For more information call (323) 816-3165.
Fontana fighter in Irvine
Librado Andrade of Fontana will be meeting Tito Mendoza (31-5) in a super middleweight bout at the Bren Events Center in University of California at Irvine on Thursday June 24. The fight had originally been scheduled in Los Angeles.
Andrade (18-0) has been biding his time and finally gets a shot at a top 10 fighter when he faces the dangerous Mendoza.
It’s a strong fight card that will also feature Ivan Valle against Marcos Licona. Several other bouts including two female bouts have been added.
For more information call (213) 489-5631.
Fights on television
Thurs. Showtime, 11 p.m., Paul Malignaggi (17-0) vs. Ramiro Cano (18-1).
Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m., Demitrius Hopkins (14-0-1) vs. Al Gonzalez (14-0-1).
Fri. Telefutura, 9 p.m., Danny Perez (28-4) vs. Jose Luis Zertuche (14-1-1).
Sat. HBO, 9:45 p.m., Paulie Ayala (35-2) vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (57-4).
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