This fight started the day before during the weigh-in, where Barrios apparently came in a reported 7 pounds over the 130 lb. weight limit, he was forced to abdicate his championship on the scales, so in essence he was fighting for nothing more than pride and a paycheck, a lighter paycheck at that because he had to pay about $20,000 in fines and bad-faith money to the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Joan Guzman, since he would be unable to claim the belt if he won, only Guzman could walk out of the ring a champion on Saturday night. The fight started out fast, fast, fast, Guzman came out slugging, showing he was more than just the slick boxer-puncher he was at 126 lbs, he carried some pop at 130 and Barrios felt it early, but Barrios is no slouch in the chin and power departments, he recovered quickly from the initial onslaught from Guzman, and was able to land some shots of his own throughout the bout, but as the rounds wore on, it was apparent who the better fighter was, Guzman, he was fast, slick, and came from all angles, Barrios, though, gave it his all and by the 12th round there was new found mutual respect from both fighters as they hugged before the start of the final round. I had it 116-111 for Guzman, but once again, I must watch different fights than the judges, because they had it 115-112 & 114-113 for Guzman, 114-113 for Barrios, Guzman by split decision, incredible!

The next fight, was just that, a fight, Israel Vasquez versus Jhonny (yes it is spelled correctly) Gonzalez for Vasquez' 126 lb. belt, the fight started as expected, with Gonzalez using his superior height and reach advantange to keep the smaller but more powerful Vasquez on the outside, the plan was working beautifully, with Gonzalez easily controlling the fight and knocking the champ down twice, once in the fouth and again in the seventh, but stranglely after the second knockdonw Gonzalez decided to trade with Vasquez on the inside, this was a very bad idea, in the ninth frame, Vasquez blasted Gonzalez with a three punch combo that put the challenger down, but he was able to get up and continue, in the tenth Gonzalez once again decided to stand on the inside and slug with the harder punching Vasquez, this time the decision proved fatal, with another three punch combo Gonzalez was down; looking at Gonzalez while he was taking the count you knew he wasn't right, the look in his eye had gone from "Winning fighter" to "Where am I" his corner saw the same look and threw in the towel, giving Vasquez the victory and his belt. Israel Vasquez has quickly become my favorite fighter below 140 lbs, this guy can flat out bang, and has more heart than fighters twice his size, if Vasquez is fighting, I will be watching, and I'm sure I am not alone after Saturday night's performance. The main event between Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez proved once again why you don't fight M.A. Barrera twice, the first time you may look good, even might win, the second time you will loose and you will not look good while doing it, while in the first fight Barrera was willing to stand and slug with Juarez, the rematch was a boxing lesson administered by the smartest fighter in the sport today, Barrera refused to stand and trade, he didn't need to, he was able to control the strong and aggresive Juarez from the outside, using a pinpoint jab to close Rocky's right eye early and easily dominate Juarez through-out the twelve easy rounds for the 130 lb. champion; Barrera by Unanimous Decision.

That was the good part of the weekend, Sunday everything fell apart, by beloved Buccaneers feel to Oklahoma State, oh I mean the Atlanta Falcons, you could have fooled me though, I haven't seen the option run from scrimmage so many times since Air Force with it's wish-bone offense played Texas and it's sweep option, I think this was the final admission by everyone involved with the Falcons that Michael Vick cannot run an NFL (ie: Professional) style offense, and that they have to resort to a hybrid gimmick offense inorder for him to be effective, the Steeler's had the same problem with Kordell Stewart, but did Cower resort to the "Option" offense, hell no, this is the N-Fuckin'-F-L, we don't run the Option here, we run NFL style offenses, and we run it with men who can run N-F-L offenses, I say it again, Mike Vick is a gimmick, move him to the slot and let him create havok on the edges, sure Atlanta run for 500 plus yards in it's first 2 games, bet you New Orleans, who they play on Monday night brings 9 in the box and says okay Mr. Vick or Mr. Mexico, whatever your name is this week, you're gonna have to throw to win Monday night, New Orleans 17 - Atlanta 10.