BOTH MANNY & TRAINING ERIK IN ?SIN CITY?
Las Vegas, NV-If Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales were two thoroughbred horse races set to go head to head for 1 mile and 1/16, race fans would be gravitating to the Racing Form this week. In addition to each race in the career of both horses, they?d be looking at the bloodline of each horse, their owners, trainers, etc. Most importantly, the focus would be on recent races and timed workouts.
TIME TO CHECK FORM OF EACH CONTESTANT
And if you looked at the Racing Form in regards to these two prizefighters as horses, it appears that Manny has a couple of ?Bullet? workouts, which represent the mornings best time. In essence, the handicapper has to look at Erik?s fairly even work, this as he strains down to 130 lbs., appears ready for the glue factory. The jockey riding Erik is saying nothing but good things about his steed, but he isn?t pressing the old timer too hard around the track, as the last thing he wants to do is burn Erik out on the track.
MOST ATTENTION BEING GIVEN TO PACMAN
At the practice track and in the barn, photographers are looking to take far more pictures of Manny than of late than they are of Erik. Although their barns will be equal in Las Vegas, there is little doubt that the both the betting and crowd favorite this Saturday night will be the fiery Filipino. And when you look at their recent fights, there?s no way you can come up with a logical reason that Erik should be favored.
MANNY & MORALES APPROACH STARTING GATE
With both carrying the same weight, they approach the starting gate. Manny has a skip to his walk as Freddie Roach has the reins. A droopy headed Erik is led to the gate, looking somewhat slow and lethargic. When the gate opens, Manny stumbles and Erik gets the edge coming out. Unable to catch the sprint of Morales, Manny falls back as he can?t close the distance early.
WILL JAB KEEP DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO?
In their first two races, Morales won the first 1/8 of a mile (two rounds) with his natural height and reach advantage. Morales? people feel he?s disciplined enough to fight an almost perfect fight, in that he would have to keep the shorter Pacquiao on the end of his stick (jab) by shooting chest jabs. At the ? mile point, the race is close, but Manny is building up steam. At the finish line, a photo finish has Pacquiao beaten by a nose. All of those betting money wonder how an 11-5 favorite was outworked by a 3-1 underdog.
PACQUIAO NOT EXACTLY SECRETARIAT OF BOXING
Favorites get beat everyday at the track. In boxing the underdog rarely wins. This is because the champion is benefited by boxing?s form of gerrymandering, a system that makes it hard to oust the incumbent. With Manny being the people?s champion, and the best fighter pound for pound in boxing, his record is not perfect and thus he isn?t the Secretariat of boxing.
WILL ADULATION & POLITICOS HAVE IMPACT?
If you look at some of the complaints posted by Filipinos at PacLand, they are not enamored by the fact that more often than not, Manny is pictured with politicians. There are some that worry about these distractions, and that a stumble caused by such will give Erik an opportunity to win.
WILL MARCO STOP TALKING & SIGN?
With three setbacks professionally, this and a draw with Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny has off-races. And should he stumble at the gate Saturday, Erik Morales, whether he?s shot or not, Erik will give Manny a run for his money. A close Morales win would set up Pacquiao-Morales IV. Marco has told many people, myself included, that he is not afraid of Pacquiao, who stopped him three years ago. If Manny romps to win, it?ll be up to Marco Antonio Barrera to either step up, or shut up.
