PACQUIAO DID WHAT HE HAD TO DO
After an unexpected slow start, there was Manny Pacquiao circling and trying to find the proper range against an awkward and frankly cheating Hector Velazquez. The first mirrored much of Pacquiao’s ugly draw against Agapito Sanchez back in 2001, where Sanchez would hit low (Velazquez repeatedly head butted) and wrapped his forearm around the back of Manny’s head. This time however, Pacquiao didn’t get frustrated over Velazquez’s obvious dirty tactics, some of which helped him win the first round.
Mid-way through the second, Pacquiao started to find his rhythm, and from that point forward he systematically broke the veteran down. Velazquez, a fringe contender at best, did feed off the passionate Mexican fans, as he tried to do his best Erik Morales impersonation, taunting Pacquiao every time Manny would land a clean blow. The taunting and pretty much the punching ended for Velazquez when Pacquiao landed a series of right uppercuts and counter hooks, mixed with some few (but devastating) body shots.
With about one minute left in the sixth round, Manny landed a tremendous right hook that unsteadied Velazquez’s equilibrium. From this point forward, Hector fought in a defensive mode, wishing and praying for the bell. It did clang, but not before Pacquiao landed a left hook and a straight right, the results of which drove the wilted fighter from Tijuana into the canvas. Referee Lou Moret, seeing Velazquez had no fight left, stopped the fight, officially at 2:59 of the sixth round, making my prediction correct!
MORALES SHOCKED BY RAHEEM
In the main event, Mexican great, Erik Morales, dropped a lop-sided unanimous decision to a revived Zahir Raheem. Scoring only three rounds for Morales (4,10, & 11), it seemed as if Erik is simply too slow anytime he campaigns above 140 lbs. His last scrap with Marco Antonio Barrera, last November had “El Terrible” walking into the ring at 142. Compare that to his fight with Manny Pacquiao, which he entered the ring at 138, and fans of Morales can see how his weight plays a part in his fights. For the Raheem fight, Morales weighed in at an all time high of 150 lbs. For Morales, a naturally big man who started out at 122 pounds, the extra pounds slowed him to almost a crawl.
STYLES MAKES FIGHTS
Unlike Pacquiao, Raheem was a slick boxer, with great defensive moves and quick hands. Instead of a body for Morales to lean on, when inside, Morales often fell over as Raheem pivoted and slid around the Mexican fighter. The overall sentiment going in was that Morales would have his difficulties with Zahir, but that Raheem would fade (similar to Velazquez) and Morales would end up teeing off on him. However, when the difficulties came, Morales either wasn’t willing, or didn’t have the conditioning at 150 lbs.
REMATCH STILL ON
Even though Morales lost to Raheem, he will still fight Manny Pacquiao in a rematch this January 21st, most likely in Las Vegas. Common sense would conclude that the rematch has lost its sizzle because Morales was easily beat by Raheem. However, the rematch now has stories on both sides and now both fighters desperately need a win over the other. For Pacquiao, he’ll need to prove to the masses that he simply had an off-night against Morales, and that a fully focused (minus the distractions) “Pac-Man” would eat up Morales.
As for Erik, he clearly wants to show his fans he’s not over the hill (29) and that at 130, he can still beat the top fighters. A loss by either one (now especially for Morales) could be the fight that sets off a slide that could facilitate retirement for Morales. “El Terrible” needs to prove he had a terrible night against Zahir. And Pacquiao, he needs to prove something as well. Lastly, let’s not forget how exciting, dramatic, and entertaining their first encounter was.
MORALES SHOULD BE THE “BETTING” FAVORITE
In my “Double Trouble” preview, I stated that Raheem was a superior fighter to Velazquez, and would give Morales some trouble. Raheem brought his A game, something many experts believed he was capable of all along. It’s pretty safe to say that Raheem would’ve easily stopped Velazquez too. Although exciting, Morales does have a clear victory over Pacquiao. “El Terrible,” he won’t have to look for Pacquiao, as he will be there for the hitting. I feel Erik should be a slight favorite to win based on the first fight.
PACQUIAO HAS MORE THAN A SHOT
Besides several new right hand punches, Pacquiao has also changed his approach to fighting. He didn’t come out wildly swinging and leaving his head open for a beating. Manny took his time and allowed Velazquez to get some punches off. One of the best conditioned fighters in the world, Manny now knows that he simply can’t blow away top fighters at a 130. Instead, Pacquiao will now use his stamina and speed rather than those haymaking power punches. Velazquez blew his load after two rounds, this as Manny was just getting warmed up. In the 5th and 6th, Velazquez looked as if he had already went ten grueling round.
MANNY NEEDS A LOT OF ROUNDS TO BEAT ERIK!
On the other hand, Pacquiao looked very fresh, especially after only training one month for the fight. A key for the Filipino in the re-match is to use his stamina and speed to get Morales tired, this in order to swam all over him late in the fight. It’s impossible to think Pacquiao would blitz through Morales in short time. To beat Morales, it’ll take great footwork, and being the fresher fighter down the stretch.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO HOLD
One of Pacquiao’s biggest mistakes in the fight with Morales is he never truly stood his ground. Obviously, Morales’ hard jab and overhand right broke any sequences Pacquiao tried to establish, but when Manny did get through inside, he back straight out, allowing Morales to land a clear blow, jolting Pacquiao’s head back. In the Velazquez fight, when Pacquiao was inside and had no more room to land, he clinched and pushed Velazquez back until the referee broke them up. This will also be a key to success in the rematch.
ALL IN CONTEXT
Remember, that the new techniques and improved defense, stylistically this would enhance Pac-Man’s chances against Morales. It’s all in the Pacquiao context of his game. Manny will always get hit, especially with a jab, and he will always be the smaller fighter against most (if not all) 130 lb. fighters. He’ll never be a defensive wizard like Willy Pep, or in recent times Winky Wright. That’s not what Pacquiao is, or how he became so successful. However, if he paces himself, and accepts the fact that he will not end things with one punch, Pacquiao can beat Morales. In fact, if Morales doesn’t come ready for a war, and Pacquiao doesn’t try to end it in two rounds, “The Pinoy” will state for the record, Pacquiao will beat Morales come January 21st!
QUICK JABS
SUPER “V” IS JUST THAT…Had Brian Viloria not dramatically crushed Eric Ortiz with a right hand at the end of the opening round of their WBC 108 lb. encounter, the fight seemed destined to develop into a classic war. It would be very wise of Top Rank to add Viloria to the under card of Pacquiao-Morales II…THE TARDY PINOY..I would like to comment on Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista’s win, but I foolishly came late to the arena…JINX IS DEAD…Not only was the Top Rank jinx for Filipino fighters broken, but it was shattered as no Mexican fighter came out victorious in Los Angeles. Their frustrations climaxed in the middle of Raheem’s dominate performance as those on both sides of the fighters got into a heated argument, resulting in bottles (wasn’t everybody checked?) being thrown from different directions…MANNY THE TRAVELER…Pacquiao will go home to the Philippines Tuesday, and won’t be back to the United States until early October, as he’ll watch his brother, Bobby Pacquiao take on Carlos “Famous” Hernandez…Pacquiao is not only the biggest name in the Philippines, but unfortunately he’s become a political pawn in the current controversial climate in the Philippines. My advice for Pacquiao is to do a “Michael Jordan,” and only stump for his many advertisers not politicians, while fighting. Pacquiao is more popular than the President of the country, and any allegiance to any politician, other than personal friendship, isn’t wise as they will likely use Pacquiao’s star power as a way to win votes. CAIZ SR., HE CAN’T COUNT OR SCORE! This was still a great night of boxing at the Staples Center. Boxing fans were treated to great fighters, and great match-ups. You have to feel good about boxing, especially after Raheem won a clear decision in Los Angeles, with a major rematch hanging in the balance. Remember Felix Sturm and Oscar De La Hoya? Oh yeah, this isn’t Vegas, it’s California where only Raul Caiz Sr. “tainted” the night by scoring Raheem-Morales 115-113, or 7-5 in rounds for Zahir. Did this Mexican-American referee/judge suddenly forget how to score rounds for Zahir, who in this case the non-Latino fighter?
