A fight between Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao at this time would be a big one. Too bad this fight can no longer happen this year as Erik will be fighting Marco Antonio Barrera next month.
The latest that fight fans heard from promoter Murad Muhammad is that Manny will be fighting Juan Manuel Marquez next in February ’05. While this is also a welcome development, the downside is that the equally interesting Manny-Erik matchup may be shelved indefinitely.
Consider the possibilities. Erik loses to Marco Antonio or Manny loses to Juan Manuel. Manny could even take lightly his tune-up fight with a yet to be confirmed opponent late next month or early December. Or Erik could just listen to his body call and move up to 135 next year.
Fight fans are then left with only their imaginations as to how an Pacquaio vs Morales fight at this time would go.
So, as the song goes, “come with me, and we’ll be in a world of pure imaginations?”
Manny Pacquaio fans ring in with their predictions:
“Bell sounds…Round 1 EM jabs?MP covers EM jabs again…MP counters?sneaks an uppercut EM wobbled…MP straight left to the head of EM?wapak! EM knock out….38 seconds of Round 1 That ends the fight.” – jhoem25
“I hate to disappoint all the Mexican boxing fans, but I feel that Manny will go through Erik Morales the way he did against Barrera. If you don’t feel the same way, well you have the right to express your own opinion, but at the end of the fight, only ONE WINNER will prevail, and I can assure you that Manny will be the last man standing.” – Vagrant
“I don’t think it’s going to be a one rounder between Morales and Pacquiao. I’m pretty sure Morales will just box and move for the first three rounds. Then again, it’s in his blood to go to war after being hurt which would be his downfall against Pacquiao.” – domaznblitz2 “My honest pre-fight analysis of the Pacquiao -Morales fight, believe it or not, without any bias, is as follows:
“Morales might take the early rounds using his reach advantage and ring savvy. However, he cannot put Manny down because he does not have that kind of power. Sooner or later, Morales will mix it up and have to take some power shots from Manny.
“This will change the complexion of the fight. Morales has never experienced power like this before and this will surprise him as it had all who have tasted it for the first time. He will be forced to go on the defensive and change much of his game plan.
“Morales is not as great a counter-puncher as JMM and will have to mix it up to pile up points if he wants to win. Eventually he will get tagged with the big one and go down. Pacquiao by KO in the 9th or 10th round.” – BCngDC
“Pacquiao in the 8th.” – Wilner A. Palacios, Bank Vice President
“It will not go beyond 5 rounds. Pacquiao, not by TKO, but by KO.” – Atty Loy Burcer, Philippine Air Force
“It’s a slam-bang affair. Both are hard hitters. In the end, it’s Manny Pacquiao.” – Engr. Samson R. Tiukinhoy
Fans who reserve to pick the winner:
“Its either a one round KO for Manny or it could also go the other way and end up in a war.” – jomapac
“Sa makauna lang (To him who lands the first potent bombs). Puro gud na knockouter (Both are KO punchers). Sa akong tan-aw anha sa 5th ug 6th round kay puro fighter. (As I see it, the fight ends either in the 5th or 6th round as both are capable.)” – Ursulo Poricallan, COA Auditor
“The fight will not end with both of them standing.” – Atty. Quirino C. Sagario
Morales fans:
This article would be incomplete without Erik’s fans sharing their imaginations as well. Hence, this space is reserved for them and a cordial invitation is hereby being extended them. If you are a Morales fan, feel free to write in and express your views which I will post.
