Manny Pacquiao is known as “Pac-Man” — conveying the image of a cuddly cartoon character. But it’s an alternate nickname that better fits the Filipino sensation.
“The Destroyer.”
Pacquiao attacks like a whirlwind and with a half-grin, as if enjoying the misery he is forcing upon his opponent.
He dominated Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003, dishing out such a wicked beating that Barrera wasn’t expected to recover. Last year, he knocked down tough Juan Manuel Marquez three times in one round.
It would be accurate to call Pacquiao the Mike Tyson of the little guys — a fighter with such a presence that opponents are intimidated before the first bell.
That’s what Erik Morales will be facing (7 p.m. Saturday, HBO pay-per-view).
Up to the task
But Morales’ credentials are impeccable.
Morales, 47-2 (34 knockouts), from Tijuana, won two of his three world titles in El Paso. The first came in 1997, when he knocked out old warhorse Daniel Zaragoza at the County Coliseum for the WBC junior featherweight title. The second came in 2000, when he stopped Kevin Kelley in seven for the vacant WBC featherweight title.
But Morales forever will be linked with Barrera because of three classic fights. The first was 2000’s best fight. The latest, fought last Nov. 27, was 2004’s best fight. The series stands at 2-1 Barrera.
Barrera remains the only fighter to have defeated “El Terrible.” And you can make a strong case that Morales deserved any one of the verdicts.
“El Terrible” moved up to 130 pounds last year and won his third world title, outlasting Jesus Chavez for the WBC junior lightweight title. Like a true warrior, he tackles Pacquiao without a tuneup after the Barrera loss.
Pacquiao, 39-2-2 (31 knockouts), is a favorite, and there is a good reason for that. “Pac-Man” may be the hardest puncher in boxing, and Morales’ defense isn’t exactly impenetrable.
But what may be overlooked is Morales’ size and durability.
Bigger and stronger
Morales is bigger than Pacquiao, who started out at 112 pounds, won the WBC flyweight title against Gabriel Mira in ’99, moved up and won the 122-pound title from Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001 and climbed again to 126 pounds and knocked out Barrera in 2003. Morales will represent Pacquiao’s third jump in weight in four years.
Morales has a two-inch advantage in height and a five-inch advantage in reach.
Second, Pacquiao can be knocked out. Rustico Torrecampo did it in ’99. And Medgoen Singsurat did it in ’96. Both were third-round knockouts. Morales, by comparison, has faced the best punchers of his generation and suffered just a single, controversial knockdown — against Barrera. His chin is granite.
Last, Morales is more seasoned in high-stakes fights. With the exception of Barrera, he has found a way to best everybody in his path with a combination of intelligence, tremendous skill and a whole lot of guts.
It’ll be another war for sure. But Morales knows all about wars.
Morales by split decision.
