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Philippines, 04 Jul 2008 |
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PACQUIAO-MORALES III-----HASSLE-FREE PhilBoxing.com 09 Oct 2006 IT used to he fought bare-knuckled until it evolved into a more civilized struggle. And since its gradual change into what is now perceived as a sweet science, boxing has provoked writers to chronicle its finest moments as well as its not so wholesome side. The case of Marco Antonio Barrera, unbeaten since Manny Pacquiao showed him the door in their Texas battle, is an issue that refuses to go away. It has attracted undeserved attention from a handful of scribes running out of pegs to angle their releases. Despite Marco’s splendid rebound since his loss to the Pacman, some anti-Barrera forces and a columnist or two, remain oblivious to the drubbings he dealt Paulie Ayala. Still a few aren’t convinced even with his sterling wins over his bitter rival Erik Morales. Not even the brutal stoppage of Mzonke Fana, capped by decisions of the game Rocky Juarez and Robbie Peden could soften their bias on a return go with the Philippine idol. Morales, whom Barrera beat twice in three of their title matches, holds a grudging acceptance of the result of their own trilogy thus posing no objection to the planned March 2007 Pacquiao-Barrera outing. But why are we ahead of our story which should be that ‘Grand Finale,’ starring Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Erik “El Terrible” Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. l8 (19 Manila time). This early, Pacquiao’s fans are wondering how their idol is doing sans the distractions that usually attend his camp since being quartered by his trainer Freddie Roach. So far so good, as of Manny’s last sighting at the Hollywood Wild Card gym where he has begun beating up his sparmates. Manny’s acquisition of the boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya continues to reap headlines (by the way), leading his minions to conclude that a miracle is the only way by which Erik can avenge his loss to the Filipino icon, who possesses an obsessive ability to make a permanent mark if his career is at stake. For Morales, no problemo as far as weight woes are concerned, or so his handlers claim. He has seen to it that the lead time he put in at a Los Angeles fitness center is enough to save him tons of ‘greens’ he must shell out in case he fails to meet the required 130-pound limit. If there’s a fighter somewhere intent in avenging the only knockout loss of his career–that would be Erik right? And he can do that if his sleep these nights is not broken by nightmares of his 10th-round knockout by Manny last January. But how would Erik’s weight loss program affect his performance when the Pac Man he’ll be tangling with is hassle-free from his ubiquitous bosses, with the matchless boon—Oscar De La Hoya—now in his corner to boot? Will Morales be retaining the power of his punches which he routinely throws in bunches? Or the ordeal of constant dieting and other weight-sapping exercises be just too much once he goes into his most arduous task—that of dealing a fast beating of the Filipino superman? Less than two months into the fight, Pacquiao has emerged the early favorite in a posting that could sway into Morales’ way if he winds up with a better camp performance. Two great fighters fighting for honors and money for their respective countries. “Gone is the unpolished Manny,” says coach Freddie. “A compleat slugger is what Erik will get,” Roach continues as they rev up their grind against a foe who’s no slouch either—a Morales who’s dead set in battling his bane of extra poundage in a daring bid to check in—problem-free—for the Grand Finale. Stay tuned. Click here for a complete listing of columns by this author. Click here for a complete listing of this author's articles from different news sources. |
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