BARRERA DELIVERS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AGAINST HAMED

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LAS VEGAS, NV (InsideBoxing) - Marco Antonio Barrera takes his place in history by being  the  first and only man to beat "Prince" Naseem Hamed in fistic battle.  For the entire week before the fight all Barrera would hear is how he was going to be knocked out.  Hamed promising a "devastating knockout" "I did not leave my wife and kids for six or seven weeks for nothing" said Hamed before the fight and indicated Barrera would pay for this.  Barrera on the other hand would only be humble and barley aggressive in any of his statements to the press.  "I'd like to thank Naseem for this opportunity"  would say Barrera in pre fight interviews.  A taste of aggressiveness came out when Barrera told us "I am ready for whatever Naseem brings, if he wants to fight dirty we can do the same."  "I am ready to win." 

Barrera would start the fight in a dominating fashion landing jabs and combinations almost at will.  It was not until the fifth round that Hamed would gather enough punches to soundly win a round.  The fifth and tenth rounds were the only rounds where all three judges would favor  Hamed.  Barrera would win rounds one, four, seven, nine and eleven in the eyes of all judges.  The twelfth and final round would have also been scored unanimous for Barrera had it not been for a point being deducted for ramming Hamed into the corner turn buckles.

You could not find an empty seat at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and this crowd was ready to see two warriors go toe to toe.  The crown would entertain each other through the long delay of getting fighters onto the ring by chanting at each other.  Barrera, Barrera, Mexican fans would chant and would be followed by Naz, Naz, from British and Naseem fans.  The electricity in the arena was extremely vivid to say the least.

Hamed would make his spectacular entrance to ring with a background of music and fireworks as he was hoisted up sitting in a round ring.  While sitting in the ring, Hamed would be lowered and moved forward closer to the boxing ring.  This would be about the only "dazzling" feature Hamed would display.  It did not take long for things to change for the worst for Hamed.  Before his magnificent entrance would end a spectator would throw a filled cup at Hamed, covering him with liquid.  Once on the ring apron Hamed would test the ropes for his traditional flip into the ring but elected to enter threw the ropes instead.  While testing the ropes it seemed his gloves had not completely dried from the liquid thrown at him and were slippery.

Barrera dominated this fight by being able to constantly beat Hamed to the punch.  Even when Hamed would throw his jab Barrera would throw a jab of his own over the top of Hamed's jab.  Barrera had a answer to all Hamed's tactics.  When Hamed would throw a punch or combination Barrera would respond with his own.  When Hamed tried his rough tactic of slamming his opponent to the ground Barrera obliged by continuing to fight while on the ground.    

Throughout the fight Hamed looked for that one punch knockout, after all he promised all his countrymen a "devistating Knockout".  However, when it was obvious the one punch knockout was not to be, Hamed simply did not have a plan "B" nor did his corner men.  

Hamed may have been a little over confident for this fight.  The grand stand of being the feature person in a Las Vegas event may haved sidetracked Hamed's priorities.  Not to mention a possible scene in the upcoming movie Oceans 11 with Julia Roberts.  Lennox Lewis was filming scenes for parts in the movie.  All this may have had something to do with the dismal performance Hamed showed in his Las Vegas debut.

One thing for certain Hamed will have a second chance.  In a post fight interview he said there was a definite rematch clause in the contract.  Judging the fight was Duane Ford, scoring 112-115; Chuck Giampa, scoring 111-116 and Patricia Jarman-Manning, scoring 112-115 all in favor of Barrera.  The third man in the ring was referee Joe Cortez.

In Super middleweight action Omar Sheika knocked out Stephan Ouellet in second round.  This fight had significant value to each fighter.  Sheika came into the fight with a ring record of 21-2 while Ouellet's record stood at 29-3.  Fighters with a few losses on their records usually will stay in boxing limbo.  Seldom getting a title shot they may rightfully deserve.  The winner of this fight would certainly force the issue of being in line for a shot at the title .  The loser would have to work his way back in contention.

Both fighters came out in the first round with strong agression.  Ouellet would cut Sheika over the left eye.  Two of the three judges award the round to Ouellet.  In the second round Sheika catches Ouellet with a beautiful combination sending him to the canvas.  Sheika would jump on the ropes in victory but Ouellet manages to his feet before the count of ten.  Referee Tony Weeks feels Ouellet was unable to continue and stops the fight.

Featherweights Fernando Velardez, San Bernadino, Calif. faced Juan Carlos Ramirez, Ciudad Juarez, MX.  Velardez pitched a shut out until the sixth round when he disposed of Ramirez.  Referee Kenny Bayless acting on the advise of the ring doctor stops the fight Velardez wins by TKO.  "I wanted to continue the fight.  I was upset the doctor stopped the fight.   I wanted to continue the fight for my people and the audience.  Fighters get cut all the time.  I felt all right to continue." said Ramirez.    With this victory Velardez is hoping to fight Bones Adams.

In a good action packed bantamweight fight, 2000 Olympic Bronse Medalist Clarence Vinson defeats Bryan Garcia by majority decision.  The fight initially was announced a draw but as the crowd voiced their disapproval in uproar the ring announcer reported an error in the score cards.  The decision was changed to a majority win for Vinson.

Jermain Taylor defeats Kenny Stubbs by TKO in the second round, middleweights;  Steve John Quinonez won Pedro Garcia by unanimous decision, Lightweights;  Raymundo Beltran wins by TKO over Francisco Rodriguez, featherweights;  In the stinker of the night heavyweight prospect Michael Bennett won by TKO over Billy Zumbrum.

Prince Promotions in association with Let's Get It On Promotions did an excellent job in putting together a fist class event.  A special thanks to Mr. Barry Hearn of Prince Promotions for a job well done in promoting this event.

-Blackbull-