Erik “El Terrible Morales” has decided to retire to life away from the boxing ring after back to back losses.  He’s 30 years old and he thinks he’s got nothing left to prove. 

Marco Antonio Barrera may have the same viewpoint coming into the Pacquiao-Barrera II.  He is convinced he can still fight, but he’s not convinced he could pull a win under the Pacman’s nose.  He’s past the 30-year-old mark and has carved a niche for himself in the world of boxing.  He’s got nothing left to prove much like his countryman, Erik Morales. 

His last fight was a losing cause against Marquez who is probably the most formidable opponent there is for Pacquiao at the moment.  And to face the Pacman, the recorder of the worst loss in his storied career, again is to say the least, putting the icing on the cake, the cake referring to his career.

Losing again to the Pacman will be no shame.  It’s actually an honor he can draw some nice words from.  By the time he loses to Manny again, Marco will be in the best position to say, “I lost to the best in the world!”  And he will enjoy his life as one great general who retires after sterling performances in the battlefield.

But. . . let’s wait until the 6th of October.  An incredible spectacle might happen.

At this point, one can feel that things are already being primed up for Manny Pacquiao after October 6.  The sweetening relations between Bob Arum and Oscar dela Hoya are an indication that the more savory and attractive matches for the Pacman are not far from becoming material.

If Pacquiao prevails over Barrera again, the next megabuck fight to promote for the two most politically powerful personalities in the world of boxing will be the Pacquiao-Marquez II.  That match has so much to promise because it will determine who’s the better man really after their no-winner-no-loser encounter the first time.

And from the looks of it, Manny will again be the favorite and if ever he prevails over Marquez, there are more matches, challenging matches at that for the most exciting boxer in the world today.