I always thought McGuigan was a good-looking fighter, but the abrupt and anti-climactic end to his career prevented us from knowing what his ceiling really was. It's possible McGuigan could put Barrera under more pressure and force him to fight at a faster pace than he was comfortable doing up at 126, but I would be leery of trusting whether Barry's chin holds up under Marco's firepower. I think it should also be noted that, regardless of what excuses McGuigan may have had for the Cruz fight, fighting Barrera would be like fighting a millionaire's version of Stevie.
I don't see McGugian's chin being a factor. McGugian didn't have a granite chin, but he had a solid enough chin, and MAB was no puncher at 126. Yeah, ultimately I think Barrera wins a decision, but probably a tighter fight than many would believe. Barrera is the only one of the "Big 4" that McGugian matches up well against IMO. Morales beats McGugian up, Marquez gives him a terrible beating, and Pac annihilates him.
The closest Morales ever faced to McGugian was McCullough, who he beat the crap out of, but Wayne hung in there. Now Wayne wasn't nearly as good and talented as McGugian, but he did have a better chin. It's kinda doubtful McGugian could soak up all the shots McCullough took.
Oh I think Morales paints McGuigan black and blue, but I thought Morales-McCullough was a great fight and this would be like an even more violent version with a knock out. Maybe McGuigan makes it interesting by going to Morales' body like Barrera did in their first fight? Doubtful, to me.
Think Barry is being undersold here. I make him a very live possibility against MAB, Eric and JMM. He matches well to all three IMO. I mean, I like McCullough, but comparing him to McGuighan? Wayne is about two levels, at best, below Barry. MTF
I don't think anyone was directly comparing McCullough to McGuigan in any way, aside from stylistically. It's pretty obvious (IMO) that Wayne was way below Barry as fighter, although I do sometimes wonder what would be made of Wayne if he beat an aging Tapia (or someone of the like) on points. I think it's pertinent to remember that Morales often fought down - or up - to his competition. The versions who fought Barrera or Pacquiao wouldn't be half of competitive with McCullough IMO, and Wayne won about three rounds anyway. I tend to think FW Barrera was the worst, of the three, but with the most proper fundamentals. I think the neat and tidy, boxer-puncher with a fair amount of dog in him is exactly what you'd want vs McGuigan. Marco's 1-2 was pretty sharp and his body work would massively effect McGuigan down the stretch IMO - exactly as it did vs Morales in their first fight.
I've never, ever seen McGuigan get the win in a fantasy H2H . I'd pick similar to Xplosive, Barrera wins but it is very hard fought for him, especially if he neglects to box.
I think people match him too high. He's more of a Hafey/Paez/Winstone level guy IMO, rather than someone like Barrera.
