Pacquiao vs. Barrera II: Behind the Tale of the Tape

The Pacquiao-Barrera return bout is just five days away, and I find myself wondering whether all the distractions of the past several months could possibly have put the Pacman's readiness to face the world-class Mexican fighter under serious question.

It was in November 2003 when the Pacman TKOd his way into world boxing fame at the expense of the much-idolized Barrera aka The Baby Faced Assassin. After a controversial draw with Juan Manuel Marquez and a stunning loss to another Mexican prized fighter, Erik Morales, Pacquiao has come back with a vengeance, pummeling Morales twice in a row, and two other lesser known boxers in between. The convincing manner in which he piled up this last string of victories certainly makes the Pacman look rather invincible. But he's had so many other big things occupying his time and attention in the months leading up to this fight (like a failed congressional bid in the last May 2007 elections, a movie and a rumored romance with his leading lady to boot, and a new television contract with GMA Network, among others) that it's become rather worrisome as to whether or not he will show up at the Mandalay Bay Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 6 (Sunday, Oct. 7, Manila time) in 100% shape as he had in all those previous fights.

Anyway, let's take a quick look at how the tale of the tape unfolds.

Pacquiao vs. Barrera

28 - Age - 33

44 - Wins - 63

35 - KOs - 42

3 - Losses - 5

2 - Draws - 0

67" - Reach - 70"

Southpaw - Stance - Orthodox

5'6"1/2 - Height - 5'6"

From the looks of it, the Pacman is up against a battle-weary warrior who, at age 33, might just be nearing the end of the line as far as his legendary boxing career is concerned. But he is a highly-skilled pro who has mastered more tricks in the game than one can imagine so he might just pull a fast one over the mega-talented and highly-favored yet distracted Filipino sensation.

Well, we'll just have to wait and see.