Pacquiao, Barrera lack prefight spice

The two fighters were about as docile and mellow as the blues music piped into the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. No histrionics or physical incidents here. Just two polite guys, respectful of each other, making nice.

It was enough to make Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer smile and co-promoters Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya cringe. This isn’t the way to entice people to spend up to $600 for a ticket at Mandalay Bay Events Center or to splurge for the $49.95 to buy the HBO pay-per-view broadcast and watch from home.

But here’s something that might spice things up — Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, expects Barrera to fight dirty come Saturday in his attempt to even the score from his loss to Pacquiao in 2003.

“I don’t think he can outfight us, and I don’t think he can outbox us either,” Roach said. “We have to watch out for the possible head-butts or anything else he might try. But we’ll be ready.”

Barrera laughed when told of Roach’s accusations.

“I’m OK,” Barrera said. “They’ve been trying to find a lot of excuses. I’m glad I’m on his mind.”

In the first meeting, Roach was concerned about the way Barrera’s hands were wrapped. Not only will he demand to see Barrera’s hands before he enters the ring Saturday, he’ll also make sure Barrera’s gloves are in proper order.

“When he fought (Erik) Morales the last time, his wraps were so big they had to cut the gloves to get the wraps inside,” Roach said. “Something’s a little dodgy there. So I’m going to make sure that he wraps legally. That’s all I want.”

Barrera said his wraps and gloves won’t be an issue. He said he is prepared for Pacquiao the second time around and that he is ready for what he claims is his last fight when he steps through the ropes Saturday for the 69th time as a professional.

“This is definitely my last fight,” said Barrera, 63-5 with 42 knockouts. “I’ve dedicated myself to boxing for 26 years. Now it’s time for me to dedicate myself to my family.”

Barrera’s brother Jorge, who is also his lead trainer, said his brother has trained exceptionally well in Mexico for this fight.

“Marco’s ready to go,” Jorge Barrera said. “He’s faster than he’s been in years, and he’s been powerful with his punches. He’s ready to win.”

Barrera said he put a little extra into his training for the rematch.

“It’s been a long time since I dedicated myself for a fight like this,” he said. “Sometimes you prepare with not as much will. This time, I prepared myself with a little extra will.”

Saturday’s undercard is strong, with Steven Luevano defending his WBO featherweight title against Antonio Davis, Yusaf Mack meeting Librado Andrade for the vacant USBA supper middleweight title, and former Las Vegan Steve Forbes facing Francisco Bojado in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

But Pacquiao-Barrera is the draw. And while neither said much to provoke the other Wednesday, Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KOs) said this is a new day against an old opponent.

“I don’t know what his style is going to be Saturday or what he is going to try to do,” Pacquiao, a minus-340 favorite, said of Barrera. “But I can tell you I’m ready for this fight. What happened in the past is past.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.