With a title shot in that division never materializing, Barrera moved up two weight classes to win the WBO super bantamweight title, with the IBO and WBC featherweight titles and the WBC/IBF super featherweight titles thereafter.
With numerous regional titles won and becoming a six-time world champion in three divisions, the Mexico City fighter, along with a few highly accomplished fighters, have long sought Mexico’s version of the “Holy Grail”- the fabled and elusive fourth division world title.
The other Mexican three-division world title holders (in no particular order) are Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Fernando Montiel, with some guy named Julio Cesar Chavez being the first one to accomplish the task.
Before anyone asks why Jorge Arce is not in this group...a quick glance through his record shows that he is actually a bona fide two-division world champion (WBO/WBC light flyweight and WBO super flyweight title, as the flyweight titles he won were either ’’Interim’’ or Latino titles. He never actually defeated the actual champion(s), nor was declared the “full champion” in that division.
The fire still burns in Barrera’s belly, even more so now after his arch-nemesis Erik Morales returned to the ring earlier this year, the aforementioned fighters are locked in a full-out competition to be the first one to win the feat (although, in my humble opinion, Morales already did so, beating David Diaz for a lightweight belt in a tight contest, just to have some home-town cooking take it away from the Tijuana fighter).
Back to the subject (after that diatribe), Barrera is back in action this Saturday night as part of Top Rank/Zanfer Promotions’ “Latin Fury” PPV card at the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas (Barrera is now a part of Zanfer Promotions, who is closely associated with Top Rank. In my opinion, should he have been with Top Rank early on in his career; he would have been a superstar many years earlier than it actually took him to eventually become one).
Barrera faces the Brazilian Adailton De Jesus, 26-4 (21), in the lightweight division. The good news is that De Jesus has won seven out of his last eight bouts. The bad news is that all his losses have come when stepping up in class (two by stoppage) with Roinet Caballero and Yuriorkis Gamboa- who stopped and defeated him via decision, respectively- being the only recognizable names in his roster.
Although Barrera is leagues ahead, in terms of experience and competition, the converted southpaw is coming off a loss to Amir Khan 15 months ago via technical decision, following a ruptured artery atop his head which could not be controlled. Barrera was allowed to go into the fifth round in enemy territory before the fight was called off; going to the cards which Khan was ahead on.
Should Barrera win, as expected, on Saturday night, he has to be put on the fast track towards a title shot as he is already 37, with much mileage on top that number. Out of the champions in the weight class -Barrera would have to meet his former conqueror Juan Manuel Marquez, should he attempt to win the WBO or WBA versions of the title or Humberto Soto for the WBC belt (The IBF belt is vacant, with Ali Funeka in the highest spot in their rankings).
Either Funeka or Soto would seem to be the most viable choices, with the Soto the most obvious as he is also a Zanfer/Top Rank fighter. Funeka is literally a tall order with Marquez a very tough outing and Soto being the best choice due to his somewhat limited technical abilities and frontal style- which would play well to the still very-skilled Barrera.
The prize is still within reach; Barrera has to defeat De Jesus this Saturday night before he can attempt the feat and become officially the first Mexican to win the fourth division world title.
Questions and comments can be sent to ultragerman@yahoo.com
Subscribe to feed
