Big fight time again here in Las Vegas as The Rubber Match between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales takes place this Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack Center. The two warriors are even up at one apiece. Morales from Tijuana, Mexico won a unanimous decision the first time they met at the MGM Grand in March of 2005. In their rematch there was revenge as Pacquiao came back in dominating fashion stopping Morales for the first time in his career in round 10 at the same venue as Saturday night?s fight. Morales? fight prior to that was also a loss, a 12-round unanimous decisions loss to Zahir Raheem 6 months after his win over Pacquiao in their first fight. Pugilistic logic would seem to indicate another big win for Pac-Man, but we know Pugilism and Logic don?t always mix. You have to read to the end to get my pick for Part Three of this Trilogy.
This past weekend Wladimir Klitschko handed Calvin Brock the first blemish of his career with a TKO in round 7. Wladimir who got off to a slow start finally started to get the jab going and you know once that long, hard left started finding its range that Klitschko?s huge right hand was right around the corner. Brock fought at totally the wrong distance, he was constantly on the outside at the end of Wlad?s reach. Klitschko is a long puncher and Brock made it easy for him to eventually find the range needed to put him away. The ticket to beating Klitschko is pressuring him, making him work, backing him up and getting on the inside. But it has become a pretty difficult thing to do against Wladimir who is I believe the class of his division at this point. He probably could and should try to unify the belts. He has improved as a fighter with Emanuel Steward working with him. He is and will always be susceptible in the chin area and, I believe, the heart area if really put to the test in the deep waters, but he is the best big guy out there today, not as good as HBO would like to sell you on, but the best of today?s crop nonetheless.
The night before the Klitschko vs. Brock, fight Evander Holyfield posted the 40th win of his now 22-year professional career with a 10-round decision win over a very scared Fres Oquendo. I thought Oquendo should have perhaps out pointed Holyfield, but Oquendo fought like a frightened rabbit, constantly grabbing and holding. The best punch of the fight was a Holyfield right hand that floored Oquendo early in round one. Holyfield looked OK for a well over the hill fighter. His winning was the worst thing that can happen as he no doubt will continue his quest to once again become not only Heavyweight Champion of the World but Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. Holyfield has no shot at accomplishing that in my opinion. He would have a shot against Oleg Masqaev or Shannon Briggs, maybe, and that is what is sad about the state of the heavyweight division. Both Klitschko and Nicolay Valuev would stop Holyfield; they?re both simply way too big for Evander.
We all know Holyfield needs to call it quits before he gets hurt. I hate to say this but Evander should look at the condition of Muhammad Ali ringside at Madison Square Garden last weekend. His daughter Laila Ali was on the undercard of the Klitschko card. Laila remained unbeaten getting a stoppage win over Shelley Burton in round 4. Muhammad really looked bad I hate to say. It really bothers me to see him this way as I always think back to being around him so much at the Fifth Street Gym when he was training and I was just a kid. I know it is tough for all us who loved him to see him this way today. My point to Holyfield is look at Ali and be concerned about your own health. I truly don?t believe Ali would be in this condition had he quit boxing a few fights earlier. Had Muhammad retired before the Larry Holmes fight, I believe he still would have had some health problems but not nearly to the extent and degree of where he is at today, I will always believe that. This would be a nice way for Holyfield to go out, right now, but he won?t, will he? Not a chance, and he may just get another title shot sometime next year.
OK it?s time to pick a winner in the Pacquiao vs Morales trifecta bout. Gotta go with Manny to win again, and I don?t see it going to 12 rounds. Morales will give it his all, but in the end, the dynamic Filipino whirlwind will prevail by stoppage.
Well I said it last week and it looks like we will get our wish. Oscar De La Hoya vs Floyd Mayweather Jr, May 5, that?s Cinco De Mayo week as I predicted. My hope and guess is it will be at the MGM Grand here in Las Vegas, which is said to be the front-runner. Great fight for all of boxing.
