Barrera Is Prepared for an Intense Fight

If preparation is the key to success, then it’s no surprise that Marco Antonio Barrera feels confident heading into his scheduled 12-round featherweight bout against Paulie Ayala tonight at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Barrera said he trained as diligently for this fight as he had for any of his previous 61 professional bouts.

“We know the type of fighter Paulie Ayala is, so we’ve trained very hard and very intensely, and we’re expecting 12 intense rounds,” Barrera said. “That’s why we’ve prepared the best we’ve ever prepared, in Mexico and now six weeks in Big Bear.”

The Mexican fighter expressed a desire to put on a strong showing for his fans in the Los Angeles area.

He has not fought in the Southland since 1996, after having many bouts locally, most of them at the Forum, early in his career.

Barrera, 30, needs a good fight to erase the sting of his last outing, a one-sided loss to Manny Pacquiao in November. The former world champion knows another loss could be devastating to his career.

“I think every fight is the same way, it’s make-or-break,” he said. “You can’t finish the fight and then say, ‘If I would have done this, if I could have done that.’ You’ve got to give it all in the fight so there won’t be that explanation after the fight.”

Friday’s weigh-in at the downtown Westin Bonaventure Hotel was orderly, with Ayala (126 pounds) and Barrera (125 1/2) choosing to save any hostilities for their nontitle bout.

Much is at stake for both fighters. Promoter Bob Arum hopes to match the winner against Injin Chi, the World Boxing Council champion.

However, Barrera (57-4, 40 knockouts) warned against looking ahead, saying, “First we have to pass this test.”

A stern test is exactly what Ayala, 34, is expecting. The former world champion counted off a list of problems that Barrera presents in the ring.

“He’s able to adapt,” Ayala said. “He’s a good puncher, a good body puncher. He’s strong. He has so many assets. I just have to fight the perfect fight.”

Ayala (35-2, 12) called this a crossroads fight. In his last significant match, in November 2002, he lost a unanimous decision to Erik Morales. If he performs poorly tonight, Ayala said he might think about retiring.

“The thing is, I’m not looking beyond this fight,” he said. “This is my defining fight.”

The main event will follow a 6:45 p.m. 12-round bout involving former U.S. Olympians Jermain Taylor (20-0, 15) and Raul Marquez (35-2, 24) for the WBC Continental Americas middleweight title.

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The Facts

* Who: Marco Antonio Barrera (57-4, 40 KOs), Mexico City vs. Paulie Ayala (35-2, 12 KOs), Fort Worth (12 rounds, featherweights); Jermain Taylor (20-0, 15 KOs), Little Rock, Ark., vs. Raul Marquez (35-2, 24 KOs), Houston (12 rounds, WBC Continental Americas middleweight championship).

* When: Undercard bouts begin at 5:45 p.m. Taylor-Marquez bout starts at 6:45 p.m., followed by Barrera-Ayala bout.

* Where: Home Depot Center in Carson, outdoor tennis stadium.

* TV: HBO, delayed 9:45 p.m.

* Ticket prices: $200, $100, $50 and $25. Available at Home Depot Center box office or Ticketmaster, (213) 480-3232.