We’ve each looked into our crystal ball and this is what we’ve come up with….
Shawn Krest says:
Everything went wrong for Manny Pacquiao in the first bout. Surrounded by management turmoil, he then lost the Great Glove Battle and then suffered an early cut which changed his strategy when it was mis-ruled the result of a punch. With the stars aligned against him, he still managed to stay within two points of Morales. He’ll have his favorite gloves this time, and camp seems to have gone more smoothly. If he can avoid a cut, or at least have its source correctly diagnosed, everything will be going his way. Meanwhile, Morales inexplicable loss to Zahir Raheem is his second in three fights, meaning it might have been less an upset than a trend. Despite all of that, it’s hard to pick against Morales. He’s proved us wrong too many times in the past. Pacquiao hasn’t shown the will and determination that’s made Morales a legend. Until he does, El Terrible is the choice in a slightly wider unanimous decision: 116-112.
Ian Palmer says:
Trying to predict the winner of this bout is the same as predicting the weather for next June 21st. Who the hell knows? This fight is made for all of the typical clich?s such as “pick em, it’s too close to call, it’s a toss up, and it’s anybody’s fight.” That really sums up this rematch between Pacquiao and Morales. You can throw Morales’s loss to Raheem out of the window as once he steps into the ring it’s all ancient history and should have no mental affect on him whatsoever. However, that loss to Raheem may have given Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach some ideas on how to handle Morales, which would basically be to outbox Morales. But let’s face it, Pacquiao is going to want to box Morales as much as Don King is looking forward to another lawsuit. It’s not going to happen. Pacquiao likes to slug it out and the reason is, he’s good at it, and so is Morales. Look for another barn burner here and don’t be surprised at anything. Either man could win by points, a first or last round KO, on cuts, or it could be a draw. However, I have the feeling that Pacquiao is going to even the score here somehow. And by the way, it’s going to rain on June 21st.
Todd Thorpe says:
This is one of the biggest pick ‘em fights in the last five or six years ago. Let’s go with logic first. When they fought the first time, Morales clearly out-boxed Pacquiao to win on the scorecards. There were some anxious moments, they had some good exchanges, but boxing wise, Morales fought a smart fight and won. Then there’s what happened in September, when Morales lost to awkward but talented Zahir Raheem in a huge upset that should have, but didn’t, scuttle the pay-per-view rematch with Pacquiao. Morales didn’t look good that night and the loss was fairly decisive. If he fights like that, the Pac-Man will avenge his previous defeat. It’s a tough call, but I like Pacquiao to be busier and squeak out a close 12-round decision.
Ian Clark says:
The rough truth is that no matter how great Pacquiao’s right hand is, Morales is too savvy and experienced to eat it often enough for Pacquiao to win rounds. I’ve heard fight after fight that Pacquiao has just had a great camp and looks better than ever, but the proof is the pudding and the Pacman that got shut down by Juan Manuel Marquez and beat by Morales is going to show up for another helping of what he got the first time. It’s going to be a long frustrating night where Pacquiao will constantly seem on the cusp of something tremendous, but it isn’t going to happen. Morales by close but clear decision.
Lyle Fitzsimmons says:
Some will say the result with Raheem says Morales is no doubt on the downside. While that may be true, this opponent is most definitely more tailored for him than the slick Philadelphian was. Manny will be right there in front of him and, unless he’s able to stay in a poised boxing style like Gatti evolved into against Ward, that’ll be exactly what “El Terrible” requires. One last stand for the valiant Mexican warrior and legend. Morales by unanimous decision.
Kristopher Love says:
Two things have been proven in the past with these two fighters that should decide the outcome. First, Morales has shown the determination and perseverance of a true champion in coming back better than ever after a loss. Secondly, Pacquiao tends to have difficulty when he is forced to move any direction but forward and tends to rely heavily on his bread and butter punch, the straight left. Erik is well aware of this. Expect Morales to use accurate shots from varied angles to ward off Pacquiao’s attacks and press him into moving backwards. Manny will no doubt win some rounds, but I see Morales wearing down the Filipino warrior en route to an impressive late round stoppage. El Terrible by TKO in 10.
Tom Thompson says:
Few rematches live up to the original fight. This one will. It is nonsense to think that Erik Morales has slipped. It is also nonsense to think that Manny Pacquiao can’t improve on his first effort against El Terrible.
I think the Reyes gloves will make a difference for Pac, but can you really see Morales getting knocked out? I can’t. What I see is a fierce battle between two proud men. They will both go for it all and it will just might be this year’s Fight of the Year.
After 12 exciting back and forth rounds, I see the judges ruling this one a draw. It will be (in rounds): 7-5 Morales; 7-5 Pacquiao; and 6-6-1. Hey don’t laugh! Despite the draw, I believe everyone will walk away satisfied- especially the fans. And we can all look forward to “The Battle 3.”
TigerBoxing sees it for Morales 4-3-1
As of 9 am EST the morning of the fight, the TigerBoxing FAN POLL has it:
Pacquiao by KO (48%); Pacquiao by decision (13%); a draw (5%); Morales by KO (11%); and Morales by decision (23%).
