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HBO Pay-Per-View
Marco Antonio Barrera (56-3, 39 KO’s) will fight Kevin Kelley (54-5-2, 36 KO’s) for what HBO calls the World Featherweight Championship on Saturday night. Now what that means, I do not know. "Smoke" Gainer is the WBA Featherweight Champion, Erik Morales is the WBC Featherweight champion, Scott Harrison is the WBO Featherweight champion, and Juan Marquez is the IBF Featherweight Champion so if I’m missing one of the organizations or something got by me, please let me know. I just want to know what championship they're fighting for.
That being said, it may seem like a good bout. Kelley is a two time featherweight champion trying to regain his status. Barrera has battled the tops in his division defeating the likes of Prince Naseem Hamed, Eric Morales and Johnny Tapia. But what I can’t figure out is why this bout is happening. It can’t be the money, there are bigger fights out there for Barrera. Mandatory defense? No (not that I’m aware of ). Why? Why would the Best featherweight in the world want to fight Kelley? Kelley isn't even ranked in the top five of any organization. Only answer I can think of is a tune-up bout.
No disrespect towards Kelley - He was a good champion and always has a fighters chance but in this particular case, I think he is in over his head.
This for me is a one sided fight. I can’t even make it interesting. Kelley has four loses to his record among them to Prince Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales and Derrick Gainer in his last 11 fights. And Morales disposed of him in the first round and I know Barrera can do the same if he chooses. It will be up to Barrera to see how long he wants the bout to last. I just don’t think Kelley will be able to withstand the power of Barrera. Barrera in five - giving credit to Kelley being able to stick and move for a while.
Oddly enough, The undercard features the WBA Featherweight Champion Derrick “Smoke” Gainer (38-5, 24 KO’s) going up against the WBA #11 rated Oscar Leon (23-2, 16 KO’s). Number 11? Why not Barrera now? He must be setting himself up for the big payday with Barrera or Morales. Can’t see Gainer losing. Let’s call it a unanimous decision win for Gainer.
Lastly, WBO Bantamweight Champion Cruz Carbajal (22-11-1, 8 KO’s) will face Steve Dotse (22-5-2, 16 KO’s) in a non-title match. This fight is shaping up to be a good one. Dotse has won his last four fights and has championship experience (he lost to Tim Austin in six). He'll want to prove he deserves a title match. I expect a lot of action from the two. I think this fight might go the same way the Danny Ramero/Cruz Carbajal match did with Carbajal winning by TKO in the sixth.
SN
(4/11/03)
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