Former champ Marco Antonio Barrera retired after losing a pair of bouts in 2007 by lopsided unanimous decision. His performances against Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao told him it was time to hang up the gloves. So did the cumulative wear and tear of 70 career bouts on his then 33-year-old body. So why is Barrera seeking an opponent for a fight in either May or June? Because he's a fighter and fighters are never truly "retired" ... they're just in between fights.
How seriously did we take Barrera's "retirement"? Put it this way: we never removed him from our Pound-for-Pound Top 50, which includes only "active" fighters".
Barrera's best days in the ring are in the past but he's still got enough to compete with almost anyone at 130. Current IBF champ Mzonke Fana is a possible opponent. Barrera and Fana have already met in the ring, with Barrera stopping Fana in two rounds back in April 2005.
Other 'retired' fighters who we wouldn't be shocked to see in the ring again: Erik Morales, Arturo Gatti and Johnny Tapia. What other 'retired' fighters do you expect to see return to the ring?
Comments
I just think Barrea wants to retire witha win not a loss and against an opponant with a name wether he be champion or top 10……… i believe he knows it’s over he just wants to leave a winner not being defeated………and i hope he can pull out 1 more great fight and ride off into the sunset……
looks like iron mike could be back in a 3r meeting with arch rival holyfield..