It’s always a special night when two world champions put everything they’ve worked so hard for on the line in search of a unification of their titles. This will be such a night when WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera looks to add another chapter to his storied career in a 12 round showdown against IBF 130-pound champion Robbie “The Bomber” Peden.
Mexico City’s Marco Antonio Barrera (60-4, 42 KOs) is like boxing’s version of a fine wine - he’s getting even better with age. A fearsome dynamo as a young fighter, Barrera has matured into “The Baby Faced Assassin” with deadly precision. Fresh off two victories that showed the full range of his talents - a gritty 12 round war with fellow Mexican legend Erik Morales last November and a power-punching clinic against number one contender Mzonke Fana in April - Barrera will look to do something at this fight that he has yet to achieve in his career - hold two world championship belts at the same time.
31-year-old Robbie Peden (25-2, 14 KOs) is the type of boxer fans like to see. The nickname “The Bomber” doesn’t come from dancing around in the ring; he’s all out action and throwing bombs. A throwback performer with a steel will and the chin to match, the pride of Brisbane, Australia finally achieved his dream of winning a world championship on February 23, 2005, when he stopped highly regarded contender Nate Campbell in eight rounds. And though the win over Campbell was the highlight so far of a nine-year pro career, Peden has no qualms about adding a legend like Barrera to his resume.
A fighter needing no introduction to fight fans, “Sugar” Shane Mosley (40-4, 35 KOs) returned to the welterweight division in early 2005 with a clear-cut victory over rugged contender Davis Estrada. This win followed an amazing string of title reigns at lightweight, welterweight, and junior middleweight that showcased his intoxicating mix of speed, power, and warrior spirit. A win over Cruz will put Mosley firmly in line for a title shot at 147 pounds.
Upset-minded Jose Luis Cruz (32-0-2, 27 KOs) has never tasted defeat in his nine-year career, and the hard-hitting native of Mazatlan, Mexico has no intentions of starting anytime soon. Holder of numerous regional welterweight titles, Cruz knows that his ticket to the big time is a victory over Mosley, and he has been training like never before for the biggest fight of his life.
CURRENT UNDERCARD
this card is subject to change
LEVANDER JOHNSON vs JESUS CHAVEZ
34-4-2, 26 KO 41-3, 28 KO
Atlantic City, New Jersey USA / Austin, Texas USA IBF LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE (135 lbs.) – 12 Rounds
SHANE MOSLEY vs JOSE L. CRUZ
40-4, 35 KO 32-0-2, 27 KO
Pomona, California / Mazatlan, Mexico WELTERWEIGHTS (147 lbs.) – 10 Rounds
MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA vs ROBBIE PEDEN
60-4, 42 KO 25-2, 14 KO
Mexico City, Mexico / Brisbane, Australia
WBC/IBF SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE (130 lbs.) – 12 Rounds
