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Tuesday, June 3 |
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What if? Barrera-Morales II, computer-wise By Thomas Gerbasi Maxboxing.com | |||
It's one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, and a rematch of one of the greatest fights in recent history. On June 22, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales will do it again to the delight of boxing fans everywhere. So what does the computer say about the rematch? Using the premier boxing simulator, Title Fight 2001, we can find out. We are at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and your referee is Jay Nady for Barrera-Morales II ROUND ONE: Not much action for the first thirty seconds as both fighters look for openings. Barrera misses a lead right, and Morales attempts to counter with a big left hook but misses. Barrera moves back in with a right hand that lands clean. Morales misses again and Barrera rips off a three punch combination that staggers 'El Terrible'. Morales reaches for the ropes as Barrera moves in and lands an uppercut. Barrera comes in hard and gets warned for butting by referee Jay Nady. The two engage again and Morales clinches. They break and Barrera waves Morales in. They trade jabs and Barrera lands a solid cross that hurts Morales. ROUND TO BARRERA ROUND TWO: Barrera comes in fast and Morales pushes him back by the shoulders. Morales misses a hook and Barrera shoots in with an uppercut. Barrera misses a couple of punches while Morales lands two hooks to the body. Another uppercut by Barrera hurts Morales briefly. Barrera is picking his shots and landing seemingly at will. Barrera darts in again and drops Morales to the canvas with a left hook to the liver. Morales rises instantly and takes a mandatory eight count from Nady. Morales is smiling but he is on shaky legs. Barrera runs in and drills Morales with a left hook to the head. There's less than a minute left in the round and 'El Terrible' is in deep trouble. Morales is able to cover up and dodge enough blows to last the round. The crowd roars at the bell. ROUND TO BARRERA. ROUND THREE: The crowd expects a fevered onslaught by Barrera to begin the third, but it's Morales who lands the first blow of the round, a right cross. They move inside and as they battle in the trenches, Barrera lands a big left hook that elicits a smile from Morales. A minute in, Morales fires a good 1-2, his best punches of the fight. He follows it with a straight right that draws blood from over Barrera's left eye. Barrera drives a hook into Morales' ribs, and 'El Terrible' takes a step back, absorbing another left right for his trouble. Barrera is using his footwork more and is able to tag Morales and shoot away before any return fire comes. ROUND TO BARRERA ROUND FOUR: Barrera's corner is able to close his cut, and he doesn't alter his strategy as the fourth frame begins. He lands a couple of crisp crosses, and Morales is quickly falling far behind on the scorecards. Morales is having trouble with Barrera's movement, and he is just following him around the ring, not cutting it off. Barrera is sticking and moving, and when he shoots in, Morales tags him with a straight right that rocks the 'Baby Faced Assassin' for the first time in the fight. Barrera recovers and corners Morales, landing a right hand in the process. Morales clinches at the bell. ROUND TO BARRERA ROUND FIVE: Morales comes out more aggressively, trying to narrow the gap on the scorecards. He misses again and again, while Barrera counters with clean blows. Morales finally corners Barrera and is able to land a hook and a cross inside. Barrera now has a split lip to go with his cut eye. Morales misses wildly, and Barrera counters well. Morales gets inside and lands some strong hooks to the body. Barrera answers with a hook of his own but Morales makes him pay with a stiff right cross. They're finally trading on even terms and the crowd is going nuts. Morales lands a big left hook and Barrera staggers briefly. They stare at each other defiantly at the bell. ROUND TO MORALES ROUND SIX: Barrera opens the round with a flashy combination but none of the punches land. Morales misses wildly and gets drilled with a 1-2 for his trouble. Morales lands a wide right cross and Barrera's legs buckle briefly. Morales swings wildly again, and a short left hook from Barrera dumps him on the canvas for a second time. Morales shakes his head and attempts to rise, but he falls back to the floor. Nady's count reaches ten and this fight is over in a sudden fashion. The time of the knockout: 1:23 of round six. Your winner.Marco Antonio Barrera The scoring at the time of the knockout was 49-46 twice and 48-46 in favor of Barrera. For the sake of statistical accuracy, Barrera-Morales II was run 100 times each with a variety of different stylistic variables. The results were surprising. With both fighters fighting as boxers, Morales wins 63% of 100 bouts With both fighters fighting as sluggers, Morales wins 54% of 100 bouts With Barrera boxing and Morales fighting as a slugger, Morales wins 61% of 100 bouts With Barrera fighting as a slugger and Morales boxing, Morales wins 56% of 100 bouts
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