Marco Antonio Barrera joins ESPN Desportes
Marco Antonio Barrera has landed a television job that would allow him to walk away from his sport. During a news conference today at the new ESPN facility near Staples Center, Barrera said that he will serve as a studio analyst for ESPN Deportes' new "Golpe A Golpe" weekly series that typically will air in advance of Friday Night Fights broadcasts.
But Barrera, who'll turn 35 on Saturday, is not ready to leave the ring. He has a Jan. 31 lightweight fight scheduled against John Nolasco in Guadalajara, Mexico, and is talking about winning a fourth world title.
"I know there's not much time left," Barrera said through an interpreter. "I have three, maybe four, fights left, but I want that fourth title."
Barrera looked finished in late 2007, when he was beaten soundly by Manny Pacquiao in a decision. Seven months earlierl, he lost by decision to Juan Manuel Marquez. The "Baby Faced Assassin" returned to the ring in November, though, and won by a fourth-round TKO over the little-known Sammy Ventura in China.
Barrera will provide expert analysis and opinions on the world of boxing, complementing the English-version pre-fight show for Friday Night Fights on ESPN that will feature Bernard Hopkins.
"It's very important this program is on the air, everyone wants to see boxing," Barrera said.
The options seemed limited when the Spanish-language "Solo Boxeo" show was cancelled last year, but ESPN Desportes General Manager Lino Garcia said his parent network "thinks the fight game is strong, and we want to make it stronger. There's been an appreciation for how the Spanish-speaking fan has driven boxing, and this is a testament to that."
Barrera will broadcast from Mexico City starting Jan. 23, and Friday Night Fights, or Viernes de Combates, will start a 27-card run Jan. 30 with an International Boxing Federation junior-welterweight title fight between Herman Ngoudjo and Juan Urango in Montreal.
"It'll be the same fights, but different telecasts to ensure the Spanish-speaking boxing fans are getting the relevant points they're looking for," Garcia said. "ESPN's in 98 million homes, we have the type of reach any open network can reach. That's why Friday Night Fights is one of the most important venues for the sport of boxing."
Barrera said he is "nervous" but "happy" about his new position, adding he's received assurances from ESPN he will be afforded proper time to train while contributing to the show. He said he looks forward to interviewing boxers for the show, even Erik Morales, his longtime rival from a compelling trilogy of fights.
"I wouldn't feel uncomfortable at all," Barrera said. "I saw him [recently] in Los Angeles. We didn't say anything to each other, but we shook hands."
-- Lance Pugmire
Photo: Marco Antonio Barrera, left, celebrates with boxing promoter Don King after defeating Sammy Ventura during a Nov. 7, 2008 fight in China. Credit: China Photos / Getty Images
