Golden Boy Promotions is not stupid. President Oscar De La Hoya, CEO Richard Schaefer and matchmaker Eric Gomez were smart enough to know a terrific fighter when they saw one in Rocky Juarez, and that’s why Juarez is now fighting under the Golden Boy banner.
Actually, the Golden Boy brass may recognize the talent of Juarez better than anyone, except for perhaps Marco Antonio Barrera. Juarez lost a narrow, split decision to Barrera in their first super featherweight title fight last May at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Some ringside reporters thought Juarez had pulled out a victory, and at first the decision was announced as a draw before later being changed to a victory for Barrera after a blunder on the score sheets was discovered.
Juarez had Barrera hurt late in that fight. Another round, and Juarez might have had Barrera. It was no surprise, then, that Barrera chose to run from Juarez in their rematch last September at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Barrera, who won a boring unanimous decision, never engaged Juarez. If he had, he probably would have lost because Juarez is very talented and was brimming with confidence thanks to his showing in their first
fight.
Juarez was part of a conference call last week promoting his May 5 fight against Jose Hernandez at MGM. It will be the semi-main event to the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jr. mega fight.
During the call, Juarez was asked if the circumstances surrounding the two fights with Barrera still stick in his craw.
“Well, not so much,” he said. “Losing two fights in a row was basically one of my hardest things to take in as a pro … I had to be able to take it, a loss, as a fighter and just move on. I’m fortunate to say that I’ve been blessed that I wasn’t hurt in the two Barrera fights.
“One thing that (was beneficial) from the Barrera fights was I gained respect from fans, the Mexican fans, the Latino fans, to go up against a legend like Marco Antonio Barrera and give him a great fight. And it showed throughout the second bout when he went the easy route. Where everyone expected a great, entertaining fight, a great, even better fight, it became a hit-and-run fight where the fans were very disappointed.”
By this time, it is obvious that Barrera not really fighting him the second time still bothers Juarez. But, like the Golden Boy honchos, Juarez is intelligent, too. He is not about to
bite the hand that feeds him by going off verbally on Barrera because not only is Barrera a partner in Golden Boy, he is one of the company’s main attractions.
It’s time for Juarez to move past Barrera and on to the next segment of his career. According to Schaefer, that future looks good.
“He’s just an amazing guy,” Schaefer said of Juarez. “An exciting fighter, great personality, has the Olympic background with a silver medal he won in the 2000 Games and two very, very close fights with Barrera. And we really have great plans for him. We think that in many ways Rocky will become one of those fighters who are going to carry the sport once some of the legends retire.
“We have, this year, laid out the path for Rocky, obviously with being on the De La Hoya card, getting the tremendous exposure which is associated with that.”
Schaefer didn’t mention names, but he said that provided Juarez prevails over Hernandez, he is hopeful of getting Juarez another shot at a world title.
“We are convinced that Rocky Juarez will become a world champion very soon,” Schaefer said.
Juarez said he is willing to fight anybody in or around the super featherweight division. Including Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, even though he does not have a world title at the moment. Since Pacquiao is so darn good, him not having a belt means nothing. If one beats Pacquiao, one is a stud.
“I always told Shelly I would be willing to fight whoever,” Juarez said, referring to manager Shelly Finkel. “When they gave me the opportunity to fight Marco Antonio Barrera at 130 pounds, I was willing to move up to 130 and face him because I know my ability and my confidence that I work hard, I train hard, I fight hard.
“And I always say, like every other fighter says, in order to be the best you have to compete against the best out there and earn your respect. Yes, I would be willing to fight whoever -
Pacquiao.”
Gomez liked what he saw from Juarez in his most recent fight, a fifth-round technical knockout of Emmanuel Lucero in February in Tucson, Ariz. Working Juarez’s corner was new trainer Ronnie Shields.
“When he fought in his last fight, he was able to cut off the ring,” Gomez said. “He was very sharp. He looked very strong. You can see the difference already. So, I think this is a new
stage in Rocky’s career. And we’re going to do our best to get him where he has to be, and that’s to a world title.”
Juarez, who will be 27 on Sunday, is 26-3 with 19 knockouts.
(Speaking of Oscar)
Word from Camp De La Hoya in Puerto Rico is that the junior middleweight champion from East Los Angeles has stayed true to a strict diet being administered him by conditioning coach Robert Garcia, who also acts as camp cook.
De La Hoya is consuming lamb, chicken, fish (especially sea bass), organic brown rice, vegetables, various juices and rice milk.
“After the (Ricardo) Mayorga fight (last May), I stayed on the healthy plan of life and it made a big difference in keeping my weight down and staying in shape,” De La Hoya said. “I
feel the difference while training when I am sticking to the plan and giving myself the fuel I need to recover from the daily grind of training camp.
“I can’t say I don’t miss my wife’s cooking, as she makes great Puerto Rican food, but it’s a sacrifice worth making to get what I need to win the fight.”
Incidentally, yours truly is picking De La Hoya to beat Mayweather. Tell you why later.