Barrera training hard for rematch with Pacquiao

Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico has upped the ante in his rematch against Manny Pacquiao, calling the match a fight for his country and an opportunity to avenge his countrymen who have succumbed to the deadly fists of the Filipino boxing sensation. "I am not just fighting for personal revenge, I'm fighting for my country and my fellow Mexican fighters who have fallen victim to Pacquiao," said Barrera in a report posted on the www.eastsideboxing.com website regarding the fight set on Oct. 6 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. "I am training harder than I ever have. I want to beat Manny so badly I can taste it. This goes beyond being personal. For me, this fight is about restoring national pride," Barrera said. And to ensure that he will a fair chance against Pacquiao, who sent the Mexican to the canvass on the 11th round of their fight on Nov. 15, 2003, Barrera is undergoing a high-altitude training in Mexico. Barrera, who had earlier vowed to retire after his fight against Pacquiao, is a three-division world champion and future Hall of Famer. Pacquiao was called "Republica Enemy No. 1" by the Mexicans after the Pinoy pugilist defeated Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Barrera (TKO 11), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). What is considered as the only blemish in Pacquiao's winning streak against Mexican fighters was a draw against Juan Manuel Marquez in 2004. - GMANews.TV