One thing I know for certain is that it would be an excellent fight. A technical slugfest of the highest order. What I do need to know is how many rounds you intend it to take place. I'd probably be inclined to take Saldivar, moreso over the long haul, though. One of the 15 round masters.
I see MAB's speed, height and reach advantages outboxing Saldivar from the outside and his in-fighting mid range ability holding his own there
MAB, on the form of his fights with Hamed and Morales would have had a chance at winning a narrow as hell decision over Saldivar, but I'm not sure. Vincente was like a little Marciano.
12 rounds, i would probably favor Barrera by a hair, but 15 rounds would go to Saldivar for sure IMO. And yes, excellent fight this would be.
I own a few fights of Saldivar, and I think he's similar to Marco in how delivers his shots in bunches, and he worked the body awfully well. I do envision the fairly substantial height differential, and Marco's superior hand speed and mobility being the deciding factors though over a 12 round contest. I don't see the use in subjecting Marco to a distance he's never had to go before. Vicente has the power to hurt anyone at 126lbs, but he'd have to land consecutively if he hopes to stop a prime, motivated Marco Antonio Barrera...who fought many many southpaws and only lost to one...Manny Pacquiao. I'll watch more of the little guy but that's where I stand for now.
Poll added gentllemen, and i made it a 15 rd fight. (Sorry Addie, didnt see your post concerning the 12/15 rd deal before adding the poll).
:yep Well to be honest, Saldivar's stamina was one of his greatest assets, so if a prime top form Barrera is going to beat Saldivar at his very best, he's gonna have to do it in a 15 rounder. :bbb
Fair enough. I tend to believe the Barrera of the first Morales fight could have gone 50 rounds. :good On a serious note, there's not really ever been evidence of Marco fading late in fights. He came on late to stop Kennedy Mckinney in the 12th, and he of course had huge rounds in the final rounds of his first two encounters with Erik Morales. He was dominating the Prince for most part, but the last two rounds were the biggest of the entire fight, landing consecutively. This indicates to me that Marco wouldn't be crippled on his last legs after a 15 round fight, it's just hard to pick him here against Saldivar, who was like an Arguello when it came to 15 rounders.
